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Newsletter of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium
Summer Issue
In this issue:
Summer 2005 OverDrive Downloadable Audio BooksSeveral TBLC member libraries are entering the world of downloadable audio books. On August 1, patrons and students will be able to search library catalogs or visit a customized interface to find downloadable audio books. These titles will range from new fiction to foreign language to nonfiction titles, though the primary focus will be popular fiction. Users will be able to download from their home computers unabridged titles and transfer them to CD or their MP3 players. The versatility and ease of use of this format will be extremely popular based upon the feedback of other libraries throughout the country. Participating Libraries include: Clearwater Public Library System, East Lake Community Library, Largo Public Library, Manatee Community College, Palm Harbor Library, Pasco County Libraries, Safety Harbor, St Petersburg Public Library System and Tampa - Hillsborough County Public Library System. There is still time for additional libraries to join, for more information on the project, please contact Diana Sachs at sachsd@tblc.org. Back to topWebster College
Paula Halpin is Library Director. Webster College has a print medical journal collection that supports their new LPN program and includes the Journal of the American Medical Association, Harvard Health Newsletter, the New England Journal of Medicine, and 15 other journals. Webster College is the process of designing an online library for our two campus libraries, which will include live chat, extensive subject area/ web site guides, and tutorials/handouts that can be printed. The new site is planned to be live by the beginning of Fall. Their library email address is: PascoLibrary@webstercollege.edu Back to topGroup Purchase Opportunities for Facts on File and Marquis Who's Who Online A Facts on File Group Purchase Opportunity is currently available to TBLC Members. Facts for Learning (elementary and middle school modules) and the Reference Suite are available through this offer. The Reference Suite@ FACTS.com offers researchers the perspective of more than 65 years of full-text news from the Facts On File World News Digest, interconnected with Issues and Controversies On File, Today's Science On File and The World Almanac Reference Database and Encyclopedia. These resources can be bought in any combination. Facts for Learning provides students with a safe, secure on-line environment with intuitive interface and design. It is a homework resource center with grade-specific menus and results, printable graphics and activities and puzzles linked to information content. With current, timely information and archived classroom magazines, Facts for Learning promotes student-driven learning and helps build comprehension and skills. Marquis Who's Who Online is TBLC's newest group purchase opportunity. The online version has 1.2 million names and includes every name that has appeared in any print volume since 1985. The information is autobiographical. Marquis provides information on 21 points including ENTIRE career history, ALL civic activities, ALL memberships, and religion. It covers the following print titles: Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Finance and Business, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Who's Who in Science and Engineering, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in American Law Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in the Midwest, Who's Who in the South Who's Who in the West, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in 20th Century America, Who's Who of American Women and Who Was Who in America. Marquis Who's Who is adding the historical biographies (deceased persons) from WHO WAS WHO IN AMERICA 1607-present. These historical biographies include scientists, inventors, artists, academics, pilgrims, Continental Congress members, social reformers, jurists, missionaries, pirates, religious sect founders, Indians, fur traders, silversmiths, explorers, pioneers, and many more. The biographies will be useful for genealogical research, student assignments, and historical research. Approximately 75% of these names from their WHO WAS WHO IN AMERICA print series can now be viewed online. The other 25% will be gradually added and complete by August. Trials of either product are available. For pricing or trial information please contact Diana Sachs, sachsd@tblc.org Back to top"Legacy" Begins
The University of South Florida, Tampa Campus has generously provided the software for the Legacy database. Richard Bernardy of USF created the software and has assisted with training library staff in imaging. Walter Rowe of USF has provided training for creating metadata records and cataloging the digitized images.
The database uses a collection-based approach to allow patrons to search or browse one library's holdings or the holdings of all libraries in the database. Libraries are using scanners and PC's purchased by TBLC through LSTA grant funding. Libraries will use their own staff and TBLC's equipment to digitize materials, and then the equipment will be transferred to the next library in the project. Legacy will be available to the public in the next few months. TBLC and the participating libraries will be announcing its presence as soon as final setup is complete and images and records are ready to appear. Back to topAsk a Librarian Ask a Librarian will be undergoing some exciting software upgrades this summer. The upgrades will give librarians a more reliable way to connect with chat customers while improving the server used by the service to enable co-browsing. The new version of the software also offers a more streamlined way to view and accept patrons and more options for staffing a local desk. Ask a Librarian staff will be traveling across Florida to unveil and demonstrate the new software functionality. After everyone has had a chance to see and practice with the new edition of Docutek VRLplus, the changes will take effect in the fall. Ask a Librarian would like to welcome Osceola Library System, the newest library to join Ask a Librarian. The Osceola Library System currently has four full-service libraries and four annex libraries. The full-service libraries are located in downtown Kissimmee and St. Cloud as well as the communities of Poinciana and Buenaventura Lakes. Back to topMember News The new West St. Petersburg Community Library at St. Petersburg College had its grand opening on May 15, 2005. The new 50,000 square foot library features: 8,000 square foot Children's Area, 90 high speed internet computers, wireless, themed Children and Teen Rooms, program and meeting rooms, study and conference rooms as well as Special Collections and a cafe. Pictures of the grand opening and information about the library are available online at: www.spcollege.edu/SPG/WSPCL On July 31, Largo Library will open their new library. The library itself will close during the final phases of construction from June 20 - July 30 for the move to the new building. View photos of the construction and a detailed description of the new building. Back to topE-Resources Special Interest Group TBLC's E-Resources SIG is being re-energized. On July 20, at 9:30 at TBLC, interested members can come for coffee, donuts and great discussion on electronic resources. The meeting will be an open forum to discuss the newest databases. If you are interested in attending, please bring information (or just a general description) of the new databases your library is considering and questions about existing databases. We will also have information on some of the newest databases and upgrades to the ones we have, as seen at ALA. Please RSVP to sachsd@tblc.org. Back to topSomething's Always Buzzing Wikis for Librarians, or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Well, I don't know exactly what I learned to love. But The Buzz this time is about wikis, or online information collaborations. And it can sound so complicated. But it's not. The largest and most well known, Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org), is a worldwide resource that spans thousands of topics. Valid information is key to what we do. It's our lifeblood. One of the main complains and criticisms of Wikipedia is that it does allow anyone to change or add information, layman or expert alike. The roles of editor and researcher have been taken away and author becomes all three. Does this mean that all the information available on Wikipedia is suspect? Not really. In fact, bad information is generally only available for short periods of time. According to "It's A Wiki Wiki World" (Time 6 June 2005), users can monitor entries and be notified when changes are made. Because of this, it generally takes less than 2 minutes for obscenities to be removed. Experts take the time to monitor their entries and police themselves. The majority of articles are well researched, with great citations and additional resources listed. It's a great starting point and one more tool to add to our box. Karen Schneider of LII.org and Free Range Librarian has written and spoken at length about Wikipedia and the roles that librarians can play. She is eloquent and comprehensive on the pros and cons of Wikipedia. There are other applications for wiki technology, including the Wiki for ALA 2005, educational applications (class projects, distance learning), and creating documentation. Because they're based on Internet technology, anytime you need to allow people to share and update information, wikis can be employed, including on an intranet. So what's a librarian to love about wikis and Wikipedia? The supposed disintermediation provided by Wikipedia gives us the opportunity to re-intermediate by checking the facts (and grammar if that's your thing), pointing out other resources and generally doing what we do best - getting people the answers to their questions as efficiently as possible. More information about Wikipedia:
More information about wikis and wiki applications:
Send comments or questions about Something's Always Buzzing to Tracey Reed at reedt@tblc.org. Back to topMark your Calendar Throughout the summer, TBLC continues to host a multitude of workshops. On July 22, Computer Security in the Library' will focus on how computer security affects on your organization. It is important to be informed, both for the technical staff member and for those supervising (or requesting) technical work. This workshop will give you the information you need to make effective decisions about computer and network security in your library. On July 26, Time Management for Busy People will help with the overwhelming pressure of time - do you feel there are not enough hours in your day? Are there things you never seem to get to? Do you find yourself handling the same piece of paper multiple times? Well, it's time you got organized! This one-day workshop will help you identify and assess problem areas you need to address to streamline your use of time. It teaches you the techniques you can apply to everyday situations to make the most of your time and to organize your environment. It will make you more efficient, both on the job and in your personal life. Graphic Novels: What Are They? is an introductory class to the emerging world of graphic novels. Over the past few years, graphic novels have become a major presence in libraries around the country, have gained a new respectability, and are being checked out by patrons of all ages. For librarians unfamiliar with graphic novels and comic books, or who have not read them in years, this can be a new, and even confusing area. This workshop will help to clear up some of the confusion. Visit the TBLC Training Page for a full list of TBLC workshops. Print version of newsletter WaveLinks is produced and distributed by the Tampa Bay Library Consortium. Please share WaveLinks with friends and colleagues. |
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TBLC welcomes our newest associate member. Webster College is in Holiday, Florida. Their web site is: 
TBLC libraries are beginning to create digitized images and metadata records that will appear in an online database called Legacy. This database will contain records and images from several member libraries, including the Bay Pines VA Hospital, Clearwater, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Largo, Mote Marine Laboratory, Ringling Museum of Art, Safety Harbor, St. Petersburg, Stetson Law School, Tarpon Springs, and the University of Tampa. Other libraries will begin to add content as the project continues.