TBLC News

Ask a Librarian announces The Director's Chair winners

Ask a Librarian officials announced in February the winners of The Director’s Chair, a contest in which Florida students created commercials to promote Ask a Librarian. Julie Bollinger is the grand prize winner; second place goes to Karman McClung; and third place goes to Jake Coombs. Julie, a Seminole Ridge High School student in Palm Beach County, received a hard-drive video camera. Second-place winner Karman McClung, a homeschooled student from Lake County, received a Nintendo Wii, and third-place winner Jake Coombs, a Fernandina Beach High School student in Nassau County, received a digital audio player jukebox.

A panel of judges narrowed all the entries down to five finalists, and the public determined the three winners by voting online. Ask a Librarian is a free online service that allows patrons to chat with a librarian for help with homework or general questions. Visit www.askalibrarian.org/thedirectorschair to see the winners’ videos. For more information, contact Diana Sachs-Silveira at sachsd@tblc.org or (813) 622-8252 (ext. 234).

Ask a Librarian issues ITN for software

After five years of live virtual reference service, Ask a Librarian is taking a moment to reevaluate our software platform. We have the opportunity to evaluate and accept proposals for a new software platform for Ask a Librarian. We want to ensure that we have the best software available to enhance Ask a Librarian's interface and our users' experience. This is an exciting time for Ask a Librarian, as we have a great opportunity to build on the success of the last five years.

We have decided to issue an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for virtual reference software and have asked any company interested in working with Ask a Librarian to respond by Monday, April 28, 2008.

Visit info.askalibrarian.org for more information.

iBorrow participant offers service directly to patrons

Hernando County Public Library System recently made iBorrow directly available to its patrons. iBorrow is an online service that allows patrons of participating libraries to order books, DVDs or other items from any other participating library at no charge. The process is simple for the patron, and iBorrow allows him to pick up his ordered items at his local library regardless of the sending library’s location.

By giving its patrons direct access to iBorrow, HCPLS is putting collections from 15 other libraries at their fingertips.

For more information, visit www.iborrow.org or contact Beth Farmer at farmerb@tblc.org or (813) 622-8252 (ext. 228).

"Libraries. Changing the World." T-shirts for sale T-shirts are still available for $10 each through our website. We have a limited quantity, so the shirts will be sold on a first come, first served basis. The shirts are Jerzees heavy weight 100% cotton in sandstone. The “world” image is approximately 9” wide by 7” tall and appears only on the front of the shirt. Please click here for more information or to place an order.