PaLA SCC Fall Workshop Registration

The Pennsylvania Library Association South Central Chapter (PaLA SCC) is sponsoring a fall workshop at the PaLA SCC Annual Meeting on October 1 at Elizabethtown College. The brochure is available for download as a PDF. The cost is $17 for PaLA Members, and $22 for non-members.

Register by September 17 by completing the registration form on the brochure, and returning it to the Hershey Public Library (Attn: PaLA-SCC Registration) with a check made out to PaLA.

Below are the agenda details. See the brochure for complete information on this event (and if you don't know to hover over the word "brochure" or "download" above in order to link to the brochure, you might want to attend The Cyber Smorgasbord session!)

Yes, I Can Help You! : Proactive Preparation for Public Service

8:30 am Registration & Refreshments

9:00 am Morning Session: Challenges of the Problem Patron

11:30 am Lunch

12:15 pm Business Meeting

1:15 pm Concurrent Afternoon Sessions:

• The Cyber Smorgasbord
• Playing it Safe @ your Library

2:45 pm Announcements/Evaluation

Hope to see you there!

Computers in Libraries 2009

It's not too early to be making plans to attend Computers In Libraries 2009!

The conference will be held March 30 - April 1, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City (Arlington.) Last year a small group of us attended, and we saved a lot of money by accepting the palinet rate (which they will hopefully offer again this year) and renting a three-bedroom house through HomeAway.com that was near public transportation.

Anyone interested in listening to the 2008 presentations in Mp3 format and viewing some of the slideshows can borrow the interactive CD-ROM of the full conference program. It is cataloged as part of the Capital Area Library District Professional Collection, which is located at the Harrisburg Downtown Library (call# 021.2 COM).

Design with the User in Mind

We are in the process of a website redesign, creating what we hope will be a destination on the web for our users. There is a fairly diverse team of staff working on personas in order to identify needs. We plan to base our work on best practices in the field, and to do extensive usability testing and continued redesign until we have the best site within our ability.

That's exciting, and I do believe we are going through the best, most productive process possible, but this video cracked me up!

Sometimes this is how it feels when designing anything! We focus on the smallest details, and constantly look for feedback continually updating, and still come out with a product that doesn't work for everyone.

I hope if you are reading this you get a chuckle too.

Return of the Blog People

Many staff members know that I've been maintaining this blog since March of 2006, and I've really slacked off on it over the past year. My reasoning was really based on low participation by the intended audience - CCLS Training Advisory Team members and Library Directors - but I've decided I just need to keep trying.

What inspired me? Well, first of all, I'm writing a grant proposal for training, which will include a Web 2.0 program based on the work of Helene Blowers. I met Helene last year at CODI 2007 when I attended her session called Learning 2.0: Explore, Discover & Play. At that point, she gave me permission to copy any materials she had already created. I have a lot of things pulled together at a wiki I use to keep updated (maybe this will also re-inspire), and just needed a framework for application.

But my real kick-in-the-pants inspiration comes from Michael Stephens and his School Library Journal program called All Together Now. I've been a follower of his teachings for years, saw him speak live for the first time when I attended PLA in Boston and point him out to everyone who will listen as a "library celebrity." What he's doing on SLJ seems like such a simple idea and so easy to do, yet several of us are just blown away by this opportunity to participate. I'm thankful that it is out there to set a benchmark.

While I've been working with Web 2.0 tools since at least 2005, and I've tried to pass on what I've learned, I know new things are cropping up all over and new applications for libraries are appearing every day. Also, in the three years I've been working with Web 2.0 applications, some of the less sophisticated have dropped off and many improvements have been made. I look forward to an opportunity to update my toolbox!

Of course, anyone at CCLS is welcome to participate in All Together Now - it isn't too late! You have three things to catch up on - creating a blog, setting up an RSS feed reader and subscribing to blog feeds, and podcasts (I haven't read this posting yet, but I think it involves subscribing and downloading, not creating, podcasts.) Or you can wait - hopefully our own program, with cool incentives for participation, will begin in the summer of 2009.

If you decide to participate, let me know (comment here!) And if you need help, just give me a shout!

Tools for Website Testing

In the session "Widgets, Tools & Doodads for Library Webmasters," Darlene Fitchter and Frank Carvone showed off a variety of cool things for personal and in-library consideration, but with our upcoming website redesign, I pulled out the best of the usability tools they mentioned.

VisCheck - a computer simulation of vision issues which shows how the page will display to users with different visual concerns.

Feng GUI - simulates heat tracking on your website (where users are looking the most and their reading patterns); displays things like orientation and density

Browsershots - creates screenshots in different browsers for the website creators to revew; submit your web address and get back the results in screenshots from different types of browsers.

These were all very interesting, and I can't wait to share some of the other sites with a variety of CCLS staff members.

BTW - too late for April Fools, but run your favorite site (or possibly one create by someone you know) through the site LOLinator. Very Cute!

Libraries Solve Problems

In advance, I ask that you forgive spelling errors...Palm TX free Word doesn't check for me, and this keyboard is tiny!!

Lee Rainie provided a fast-paced, humorous and informative keynote presentation on the first morning of CIL 2008. There was a ton of information, but I particularly enjoyed the resources for advocacy in our libraries during his talk called "Libraries Solve Problems!"

We have 53% of the market share coming into libraries to fill informational needs. Thiis an acceptable market share, but there are opportunities for educating the public as to how we've changed and how helpful we can be. There are people out there who can tell our stories and draw others to our health and government resources, news resources, etc.

We can offer user generated content tools as a way to show our successes and competence. People are eager to give feedback, but desire to use Web 2.0 tools to share the word about our programs and collections.

Those who are not currently our patrons are in a situation to seek us out. If we make them aware of our work (show them that we have solved problems in the past like the problems they have), they will come. They will be comfortable in our environment and we have the skills to mentor them to use a library well.

In the era of social networks, people are looking toward their favorite social networks for opportunities for learning, for news and navigation and for support/problem solving. Libraries and librarians should find a way to be part of social networks.

This is all great stuff that we can translate and apply back at home. I'll be sure to post a link to the study when I get back to a "real computer"!

Computers in Libraries 2008: Free Pass

From the INFOcus newsletter:

Greenwood Publishing Group is pleased to offer to any librarian a free pass to Computers in Libraries 2008 for the Exhibit Hall. Send an email to kelly.clifton@greenwood.com and the CIL 08 exhibit hall pass and directions how to receive your free pass will be emailed to you. Only the first 200 requests can be honored - so hurry!

Advocacy in Support of Rural Libraries

The American Library Association requests that citizens contact Farm Bill conferees on the Senate and House Agriculture Committees asking them to keep libraries in rural telecommunications section of H.R. 2419. Specifically, ask them to support the Senate version of the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419), Section 6302, to include "libraries" in the rural telecommunications program: "Telemedicine, Library Connectivity, and Distance Learning Services in Rural Areas." The conference committee on H.R. 2419 is meeting now and library supporters are needed to keep messages going into the conferees.

Pennsylvania Senator Robert P. Casey is a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nurtition and Forestry and Pennsylvania Representative Tim Holden is on the House Committee on Agriculture. If your Senator or Representative is not one of these two, you are asked to contact your respective Senators and Representatives and ask them to contact Farm Bill conferees to keep libraries in Section 6302 of H.R. 2419.

This amendment acknowledges and would support the important role that public libraries play in providing rural areas access to broadband services, leveling the playing field for rural residents. Read more about it on the ALA Issues & Advocacy website.

"Official Notifications" are Phishing Scams

Many of us have received many emails on our ccpa.net accounts from (supposedly) Member's 1st Federal Credit Union and the Bank of Lancaster County. Today, Eric (the Computer Guy) sent out this message to all staff, which I want to share here:

Since many of you probably have an account [with Members 1st or Bank of Lancaster County] - don't fall for this.

How do I know it's not legit? I don't give out work email for personal accounts. Also read the last line - doesn't sound very 'bank-like'.

Remember ANY time you get something like this from ANY of your institutions
close the email & ALWAYS go DIRECTLY to their site....the phishers will use a link to take you to a bogus site that may look pretty convincing and then capture your personal information!

There is excellent information on this subject at OnGuardOnline.gov if you want to know more about how and why this is done, how to avoid getting caught and what to do if you think your personal information has been compromised (there is even a fun little game to test your knowledge!)

The message itself will read something like this, and may contain a legitimate company logo:

From: Members 1st Federal Credit Union [mailto:eservices@members1st.org]
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: Official Notification

Dear Members 1st Federal Credit Union Customer,

This is your official notification from Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Your online account has expired. If you want to continue using our service you have to renew your online account. If not, your online account will be deactivated and deleted. To
continue click here, complete the renew form with your currentinformation.

Many Thanks and Kind Regards - Members 1st Federal Credit Union - Update
Department

or this

From: Bank of Lancaster County [mailto:service@blcnet.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008
To: undisclosed-recipientsSubject: Please renew your BLC services!

Dear Member,

This is your official notification from Bank of Lancaster County that the service(s) listed below will be deactivated and deleted if not renewed immediately. Previous notifications have been sent to the Billing Contact assigned to this account. As the Primary Contact, you must renew the service(s) listed below or it will be deactivated and deleted. Renew Now your Sterling Online and Bill Payer services.

SERVICE: Sterling Online and Bill Payer.
EXPIRATION: January 26, 2008

Thank you for using Sterling Online. We appreciate your business and the opportunity to serve you.

Copyright (c) 2008, Bank of Lancaster County. All rights Reserved.

If you use online services with any financial institution, your best bet is to contact them directly if you receive a message like this and are unsure of it's authenticity.

RSS - Ready for Some Stories?!?

I've been looking at ways to simplify explanations of Web 2.0 concepts, such as RSS Feeds and aggregators, and I ran across this blog post from 2006 - RSS the Oprah Way. It may be old, but it is very well done. If you just don't get how it works, read this!

Emerging Technologies - 2008

Key emerging technologies are identified in The Horizon Report - 2008, co-published by the New Media Consortium and the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative and rolled out early this week.

It's all the buzz on the blogosphere, and you can read what others (more informed than I) have to say with a simple search.

Me? I'll be reading it for the first time in a few minutes. FYI - reports from past years, and the workspace for the report, can be found on the Horizon Project Wiki.

Web 2.0 Explained So Well!

Having trouble wrapping your mind around:

• RSS Feeds,
• Wikis,
• Social Bookmarking, or
• Social Networks?

Lee Lefever has created explanations for each of these concepts in easy to understand language and graphics through Common Craft LLC of Seattle, WA.

They are fun to watch, and you might learn a little something! And if you enjoy the first four, visit the Commoncraft website (and/or just click below.)

• Blogs
• Google Docs
• Online Photo Sharing

Check it out!

DTV Reference - Be Prepared

On February 17, 2009 the United States will complete its Digital TV transition, and the era of analog broadcasting will be over. Library customers may approach your staff seeking answers on how the DTV transition will impact them.

From assistance in using public Internet computers to apply for the converter box coupon to answering questions about why the transition is happening, ALA has posted a variety of helpful materials for making the Digital TV Transition.

Check it out!

ALA Website Design - Input Sought

The ALA website is under redesign, and the design concept is under review at ALA Midwinter, but also for those of us who aren't in attendance.

View the design concept site, with the understanding that interactivity, site architecture and other features will be up for review at a later time. Note any features that you like or dislike, and complete a survey at the end.

POWER Library Changes Announced

CCLS Reference Librarians may be interested to learn the following POWER Library changes, which were announced in the HSLC news this week:

New AP Multimedia Interface

The new AP Multimedia Archive Interface (AP Images) is now available through the POWER Library. This new interface provides access to photographs, graphics and audio clips from The Associated Press. Also included in the new interface is the AP Images Calendar. This Calendar visually displays events each month from celebrity birthdays to key dates in history.

A message will be posted in a future Access PA News when complete documentation is ready for you to download from the POWER Library website.

I don't see any help documentation at the site, which is what I assume the are referring to in the last sentence above. The old version had a great help section, so I'm guessing this will also be very good when it becomes available.

One of the big improvements to this version, besides the great speed in which results appear, is the added ability to print the images. It is not obvious, but once you acquire an image on the screen, look for the drop-down arrow in the top, right corner. Click on it, and you will see a list of choices, including PRINT. That is the only way I've located print; it may be hiding other places. Download, however, is very obvious and can be done multiple ways.

Do take time to play with this - it is a really terrific resource for school projects requiring photos.

streaMed Wired MD subscription ends

The Access PA service agreement with streaMed Wired MD patient videos ended as of December 31, 2007 and will not be renewed. With the recent acquisition of EBSCO's Consumer Health Complete with its over 720 videos integrated into the database's search structure (and soon the statewide federated search service), it was determined, in consultation with Commonwealth Libraries, that the investment in this lesser used and more limited access resource would be better spent in other program areas.

w00t!

Funny that I just learned the term "leetspeak" a few months ago, and now find out it's responsible for creation of the 2007 Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year.

I knew the term "w00t!"...I've even been using it, and spelling it, correctly for some time now, and I knew it had it's origins in gaming. But I didn't know until the M-W announcement that it's origin was in leetspeak (or, as I later learned, properly called 1337 speak.)

Knol - Information Authority or Just Another Notch in Google's Belt?

Have you heard about Google's new experimental web service? It was quietly announced last Thursday, and there is a lot of buzzing about it in the blogosphere.

Knol (short for knowledge) is designed to be an introduction to knowledge - the first thing someone who searches on a topic will want to read. The New York Times covered it well, and of course there is information about it on the Google blog. Google states that it will, "encourage people who know a particular subject to write an authoritative article about it."

Only the author of an entry will be allowed to edit a Knol article; Google will provide authoring tools, store the information, allow others to comment and suggest edits and provide traffic via their search engine. The experts who author the postings will state their own credentials when posting. Each Knol will be a web page created using Google-supplied tools and layout, hosted by Google, and including content, links, and an author biography.

It is still very much experimental, and by invitation only at this time, but I think librarians will want to be very aware of what is going on with Knol and keep an eye on how library customers are using it.