The American Library Association released its 2007 State of America’s Libraries report — with some surprising results — on April 16. Ten years after some experts predicted the demise of the nation’s system of libraries as a result of the Internet explosion, the most current national data on library use shows that the exact opposite has happened.
If you haven’t yet had a chance to review the report, click here.
The Catalogers’ SIG met on May 23 at Stetson Law in Gulfport. Twenty-three people attended, and we had a great discussion about the “next generation library catalog,” how that relates to cataloging, and how cataloging may change in the light of Library 2.0 issues.
The group had a reading list of articles/blog posts to look at before the meeting to spark discussion; check it out here.
Our next meeting will be in August or September; an announcement will be posted to the “tblc-workshops” email list when we have a firm date. At this meeting we will be discussing Part II – looking at examples of cool OPACs that have implemented Library 2.0 features, and also at Library 2.0 sites that are using features that may be of interest to libraries for their OPACs.
The Excellence Award Task Force of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) will select up to 25 exemplary teen programs/services in all types of libraries to include in a fifth edition of Excellence in Library Service to Young Adults.
The top five programs will receive cash awards of $1000 each. Twenty “best of the rest” applications will receive cash awards of $250. This program to recognize excellence in library service to teenagers was begun by ALA Past President Hardy Franklin in 1993.
(Click here for a Word document of the application instructions and the cover sheet).
The deadline to submit programs is June 1, 2007.Click here for more information.
On May 18, TBLC hosted an E-Government Conversation at Stetson Law, Tampa Campus, which 30 people attended. John Bertot of FSU gave a brief presentation on the current status of e-government in libraries. We then had an interesting discussion addressing these three questions:
Librarians are experiencing a great deal of frustration in assisting people with government forms because, in most cases, they have received no training from the state agencies that produce and process the forms.
However, the consensus was that this is an issue that is not going to go away, and we must try to make the best of it. This is an opportunity to prove that libraries are an essential service. We need to create customer expectations and values about what you can expect when you come to the library, and we also need to make others aware of our role in providing this service.
Libraries can help each other by sharing information with each other about policies and what they have learned. TBLC can help by providing training, methods of communication, and forums for conversation. We explored the idea of a TBLC-hosted portal or wiki where libraries can post information.
Next steps: TBLC will convene another meeting for those interested, and we will discuss other programs, resource people, creation of a portal or wiki, success stories, and ways of communicating within the group and with legislators.
OverDrive is an online catalog that allows patrons to checkout and download audio books and music from their own computers.
With the digital world revolutionizing the way people read books and listen to music, our patrons require the speed, efficiency, convenience and clarity that digital media provides. And the TBLC has an inexpensive way for you to provide that to them.
Through our group purchase program, we are able to offer your library over $50,000 worth of titles for a fraction of the cost. For just $5,500, you and your patrons will have unlimited access to the more than 1,700 titles in our collection*. And because everything is digital, you’ll never have to spend additional money replacing scratched CDs or worn-out novels.
We’re excited to help you keep up with the digital revolution. And we’re equally excited to help give your patrons quick, easy access to over 1,700 online titles.
Click here for more information about OverDrive.
Click here to download the OverDrive participation form. Please fax to (813) 628-4425 no later than June 21, 2007.
*Fee is for TBLC members for one year (July 2007 to July 2008). Option to renew after one year at a reduced fee.
We have revised our Materials Exchange page so that it is now much easier for our members to use and to navigate.
Our Materials Exchange program is an online forum that allows members to post information about materials that they are giving away. Materials may include books, DVDs, furniture, supplies – anything that your library would like to part with.
If you don’t have something to give away, visit the site to see if any of the items tickle your fancy. One librarian’s trash is another librarian’s treasure!
Applications are still being accepted for the fourth year of the State Library & Archives of Florida’s Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute.
The Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute is a year-long comprehensive series of learning sessions that focuses on developing an understanding of leadership within a conceptual framework and practical applications. Participants will attend 10 days of training throughout the year covering
The Institute includes sessions relating to various concepts and skills, using supplemental books, articles, and materials based on participants’ needs and interests. The leadership sessions are a combination of lectures and informal, interactive discussions. A variety of small group and large group activities with inventories, surveys, and assessment tools are used to stimulate personal development. Participants take part in a formal mentoring process that matches participants and mentors based on career development interests and geographical location.This year-long Leadership Institute is open to library staff who exhibit leadership potential, including the ability to share with others enthusiasm, optimism, and vision for the library services of tomorrow. The Institute is open to individuals from all types of libraries (public, academic, school, and special). It is designed for professional librarians, as well as those in management positions without an MLS. Candidates should have a minimum of two years professional library experience and a demonstrated successful professional work experience. Applicants can apply to attend the Institute in either the Tampa or Daytona area.
Deadline for applications – June 13, 2007 postmark
Selection and notification – August 2007
Complete information about the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute and application forms are available at http://www.neflin.org/leadership. Contact Stephanie Race at NEFLIN (sslli@neflin.org or 904.278.5620) for more information.
We understand that it can be difficult for some of you to get away from work for a full day to attend our continuing education classes. We invite you instead to attend one of our two new online courses:
Click on each program to find out more information or to register for that class.
Sign up today for our presentation and discussion about the controversy surrounding library E-Government Services, taking place on Friday, May 18, 1 to 3:45 p.m., at the Stetson University College of Law on N. Tampa Street.
We will open with a presentation by John Bertot of the Florida State University Information Use Management and Policy Institute. John’s presentation will set the stage for a conversation among attendees about their E-Government experience and strategies for responding successfully to the challenges.
Click here for more information or to register for this class.
Charlie Parker, executive director of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium, was inducted as the 2007-2008 president of the Florida Library Association.
The Florida Library Association (FLA) is a statewide nonprofit association with over 1,200 members including individuals that work in, use and support libraries. The FLA provides its members with education and serves as a legislative advocate for libraries. For more information, visit www.flalib.org.