Participate in Library Service Trip to Costa Rica, June 21-29, 2014!

Are you interested in a unique opportunity that combines the principles of sustainable tourism and educational travel with international community-based library service work? 

This trip, hosted by the ALA International Relations Office, is designed for librarians at all stages of their careers. The program combines grassroots, community-based service work on three library projects in the Monteverde Zone in Costa Rica, and a full itinerary of travel activities centered around understanding both the natural and cultural environments of this spectacular country.

The trip will be led Laurie Kutner, Library Associate Professor, University of Vermont, who for the last six years has direct an on-site internship with Syracuse iSchool students building community-based digital collections in Monteverde.  Laurie’s subject expertise is environment, anthropology, geography, and global studies.   

Joining Laurie for the tour will be the experienced Eric Gomez, owner of Costa Rica Green Adventures. CRGA’s philosophy is to provide opportunities that have a positive cultural impact on both environment and people.

Please express your interest in participating by March 1^st!

 

Michael Dowling

Director

International and Chapter Relations Offices

American Library Association

50 E Huron St

Chicago, IL, USA

p +1 800-545-2433 ext 3200

f  +1 312-280-4392

http://www.ala.org/iro

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  Jazzy Wright

February 4, 2014                                                                                             jwright@alawash.org

Four Local Libraries Honored for Offering Cutting-edge Services

Today, the American Library Association (ALA) recognized four libraries for offering cutting-edge technologies in library services, honoring programs in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Bridgewater, New Jersey; Raleigh, North Carolina; and University Park, Pennsylvania.

The recognition, which is presented by the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy and the Library & Information Technology Association (LITA), showcases libraries that are serving their communities using novel and innovative methods. Libraries or library service areas selected will be highlighted through various ALA publications and featured in a program at the ALA Annual Conference 2014 in Las Vegas, June 26-July 1, 2014.

“This was a very competitive year for cutting-edge applicants. Those recognized today stood out in the ways they creatively solved problems, engaged library patrons, and strengthened library services and visibility,” said Marc Gartler of Madison Public Library (WI), who chaired the selection subcommittee. “We are excited to recognize these four projects, several of which already have proven their potential to be successfully replicated by libraries around the globe.”

• Cut-rate Digital Signboards, Somerset County Library System, Bridgewater, NJ.

Somerset County Library System developed a more dynamic and cost-effective way to promote programs and resources in high-traffic areas of the library. The creative solution brings together a Raspberry Pi computer, large-screen monitors, WiFi, and Google Docs Presentations to reduce digital signboard costs by almost $1,000 per display. The project also reduced poster printing costs and actually made it easier for staff to remotely update and push new content to their customers.

• “Me Card,” Edmonton Public Library, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Edmonton Public Library’s Me Card technology allows customers with a library card from one library to create an account with and access collections at another library with no staff intervention or additional library cards. The Me Card can work with any integrated library system (ILS) and does not require a shared ILS among participating libraries. More than 1,500 customers accessed the web-based service and registered for membership in the first two months of operation.

• My #HuntLibrary, North Carolina State University (NCSU), Raleigh, NC.

NCSU ensured that the story of their new library’s opening would be told through the words and images of the people that use it every day. The NCSU Libraries used Instagram’s API to develop an app that captured photos tagged with #HuntLibrary and displayed them online and in the library. Both a user engagement tool and digital preservation effort, the library received more than 3,200 images from more than 1,300 different users and recorded more than 235,000 page views.

• One Button Studio, Penn State University Libraries, University Park, PA

Penn State University Libraries, in partnership with Information Technology Services, enabled easy video creation for faculty and students across Penn State campuses. With only a flash drive and the push of a single button, users can activate a video camera, microphone and lights to begin recording. In its first year of use, 4,200 people created more than 270 hours of video. The app also reduces production costs due to changes in the type of equipment, as well as the number of staff needed.

Additional information is available at http://www.ala.org/offices/oitp/cuttingedge 

 

About the Library & Information Technology Association (LITA)

LITA, a division of the ALA, is the leading organization reaching out across types of libraries to provide education and services for a broad membership of over 3,000 systems librarians, library administrators, library schools, vendors and many others interested in leading edge technology and applications for librarians and information providers. For more information, visit www.lita.org.

 

About the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP)

The Office for Information Technology Policy advances ALA’s public policy activities by helping secure information technology policies that support and encourage efforts of libraries to ensure access to electronic information resources as a means of upholding the public’s right to a free and open information society. For more information, visit www.ala.org/oitp.

###

Contact: Jazzy Wright

Press Officer, ALA Washington Office

202-628-8410

jwright@alawash.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2014

ALA launches free e-government webinar series

The American Library Association (ALA) and the Information Policy & Access Center (iPAC) at the University of Maryland at College Park are pleased to announce the re-launch of Lib2Gov, an online e-government resource for librarians. Over the past few months, both organizations have worked to transition LibEGovundefineda project supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through a National Leadership Grantundefinedinto Lib2Gov.

The redesigned website Lib2Gov allows libraries and government agencies to come together and collaborate, share resources and build a community of practice. Lib2Gov now provides a dedicated space where librarians can share materials, lesson plans, tutorials, stories, and other e-government content. The website offers a variety of resources from government agencies and organizations, including information on immigration, taxation, social security and healthcare.

In a few weeks, both organizations will host a new monthly webinar series, “E-government @ Your Library.” The webinars will explore a variety of e-government topics that will be of interest to librarians, including mobile government and emergency preparedness, response and recovery. All webinars are free and will be archived on the Lib2Gov site. The webinar schedule for Winter/Spring 2014:

• Webinar 1: E-government @ Your Library (Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at 2 p.m. EST)

This webinar offers general insights into how libraries can help meet the e-government needs of their communities in general and through the Lib2Gov web resource. Register now.

Speakers:

• Webinar 2: Government Information Expertise Online: Beyond the First Century of Federal Depository Library Program Practice (Thursday, March 27, 2014, at 3 p.m. EST) Register now.

This webinar will offer insights and techniques in how practicing government information professionals can use the strengths and opportunities of the depository library experience in several promising areas of digital reference, government information discovery tools and deliberative outreach to your community.

Speakers:

• Webinar 3: An Introduction to Mobile Government Apps for Librarians (Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at 2 p.m. EST)

The webinar will cover how librarians can teach patrons to use mobile devices, provide links on our webpages to government apps, and create apps for their own e-government websites. Register now.

Speakers:

• Webinar 4: Roles for Libraries and Librarians in Disasters (Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 2 p.m. EST)

This webinar presents information on libraries' and librarians' roles supporting their communities and the disaster workforce before, during, and after hazardous events and disasters. Register now.

Speakers:

• Webinar 5: Beta.Congress.Gov (Thursday, June 12, 2014, at 2 p.m. EST)

Sign-up information, as well as more information about webinar topics and speakers, is available. Please contact Jessica McGilvray (jmcgilvray@alawash.org) or John Bertot (jbertot@umd.edu) with questions about Lib2Gov or the webinar series.

FYI -- from the ALA Office of Information Technology Policy:

We've just been formally invited to participate in the 2014 Google Policy Fellowship program. Google expects to publicly solicit applications on February 14. If you know of graduate students who may be interested, you can let them know.

Here is last year's ALA announcement:
http://www.districtdispatch.org/2013/02/ala-seeks-candidates-for-google-policy-fellowship-2/

From our meeting with the FCC yesterday, we have every reason to feel more hopeful this morning about what will be included in the Chairman’s speech. We do plan to issue a statement sometime later today. In the meantime if you would like to help get the word out about libraries and their role in digital leaning (for K12 students but also for the broader community) that would be great. The hash tag for the event today is #DLDay.

Thanks for your help,

Marijke

To see today’s agenda:

http://digitallearningday.org/events/national-event/agenda/.

Dear Friends of Literacy, Books, and Reading,

The Library of Congress Center for the Book is pleased to announce that the 2014 Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program is now accepting applications. Through the generosity of David M. Rubenstein, the Literacy Awards honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to increasing literacy in the United States and abroad. The three winners will be announced at the National Book Festival on August 30, 2014. This will be followed in October by an awards ceremony and formal presentations by the winners at the Library of Congress.

The prizes are:

The David M. Rubenstein Prize ($150,000) will be awarded to an organization that has made outstanding and measurable contributions in increasing literacy levels and has demonstrated exceptional and sustained depth and breadth in its commitment to the advancement of literacy. The organization will meet the highest standards of excellence in its operations and services.  This award may be given to any organization based either inside or outside the United States.

The American Prize ($50,000) will be awarded to an organization that has made a significant and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels or the national awareness of the importance of literacy. This award may be given to any organization that is based in the United States.

The International Prize ($50,000) will be awarded to an organization or national entity that has made a significant and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels. This award may be given to any organization that is based in a country outside the United States.

The program is accepting applications from now until the March 31, 2014, deadline. Visit www.read.gov/literacyawards to download the application and find further instructions. We hope that you will share this information with any groups that might be interested and consider either applying on behalf of your own organization or nominating another group.

The Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program is administered by the Center for the Book. Please contact us at literacyawards@loc.gov should you have any questions.

Public libraries invited to apply by March 6 to receive $8,000 grant and 18 months of professional development in community engagement

CHICAGO undefined The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office is accepting applications for the Libraries Transforming Communities Public Innovators Cohort, an 18-month, team-based professional development opportunity for public libraries, developed by ALA and the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation.

The Libraries Transforming Communities project, made possible through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, addresses a critical need of the field by developing and distributing new tools, resources and support for librarians to engage with their communities in new ways; strengthens librarians as community leaders and change agents, and strengthens ALA’s capacity as a lead library support entity.

In April, up to 50 individuals representing teams from 10 public libraries nationally will be selected to participate in the Public Innovators Cohort. Selected libraries will receive:

• An $8,000 grant to support Cohort expenses.
• An intensive 18-month Public Innovators Cohort experience that will include training and team coaching to develop and implement a community engagement plan.
• Cohort training at the intensive three-day Public Innovators Lab, May 20-22, 2014.
• Virtual and in-person "innovation space" meetings.
• Access to six in-depth distance learning session.
• Monthly coaching and peer dialogue calls with a Harwood Institute coach and cohort peers to support implementation work. 
• Access to publicity and marketing resources to support local-level communications.

The Public Innovators Cohort is grounded in the Harwood Institute‘s approach of “turning outward,” which emphasizes shifting the institutional and professional orientation of libraries and librarians from internal to external. Participants will develop and implement a plan for community engagement and learn how to:

• Identify community issues rooted in people's shared aspirations;
• Strategically share this knowledge with your community to build public will for action;
• Develop strategies that align with local context;
• Create community conditions that enable change;
• Identify the right community partners to work with; and
• Develop networks for innovation and learning.

Complete guidelines and application instructions can be found at: ala.org/LTC. A conference call for interested applicants will be held at 1 p.m. central time on February 12, 2014.

An update on the Libraries Transforming Communities initiative will be given by Maureen Sullivan, ALA immediate past president, and Rich Harwood, founder and president of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, from 8:30 – 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, at the 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia in PCC 201C.

Sullivan and Harwood will share the latest examples of the impact from librarians trained during phase one who are successfully applying the Harwood practice in libraries and within the ALA community.  They will also provide details and answer questions about exciting new opportunities for librarians to increase the effectiveness of their library-led community engagement and innovation.

 

******************************

ALA Public Programs Office
www.ala.org/publicprograms
publicprograms@ala.org

Are you a Programming Librarian?

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 16, 2014 IMLS Press Contact 202-653-4799 Giuliana Bullard, gbullard@imls.gov Webinar on Immigration Resources for Public Librarians Scheduled The Tuesday, February 4 webinar will feature USCIS representatives Washington, DCundefinedThe Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will present the first in a series of free webinars for public libraries about immigration and U.S. citizenship topics. The series was developed as part of a partnership between IMLS and USCIS to ensure that librarians have the necessary tools and knowledge to refer their patrons to accurate and reliable sources of information on immigration-related topics. The USCIS Customer Service Tools and Resources: An Overview for Libraries webinar will highlight the agency’s work with libraries, ways in which libraries can find immigration and citizenship information online, and practical activities libraries can implement to engage the immigrant community. The webinar will take place February 4, from 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. EST. No pre-registration is required. To participate, click on this link at the time of the webinar: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2012653&password=M.6C6A7E79AD0A9BABDF894BCB46D8CE (The link will enable you to enter the Blackboard Collaborative Meeting Room only at the time of the webinar and is provided now for your reference.) You may listen using your computer’s speakers, or dial 1-866-299-7945 and when prompted, enter the passcode 9910420#. To add this webinar session to your calendar, please click the following link: https://sas.elluminate.com/mvc?sid=2012653&miuid=078D04CD4FB31CB668B8BC338FD9B019 To sign up for updates about upcoming webinars and additional immigration and citizenship resources, register your email address on the USCIS website. About the Institute of Museum and Library Services The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

 

"Money Smart Week @ your library" is a national initiative in its fourth year between the ALA and the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB; Chicago) to provide financial literacy programming to help members of your community better manage their personal finances. Libraries of all types can and do participate, providing programming for all ages and all stages of life on topics such as: basic budgeting; managing student debt; retirement planning; home purchasing; saving money through couponing; and how to prevent identity theft. In 2013 500 public, academic, school, and even prison libraries in 47 states participated. So mark your calendars to participate April 5-12, 2014!

To learn more, visit Money Smart Week and subscribe to the Money Smart Week e-list:

• Go to http://lists.ala.org/sympa/info/mswlibrary
• Choose “Subscribe” from the left-hand column and provide your e-mail address
• First-time subscribers will be required to provide a password

Also visit the FRB Money Smart Week home page for additional details about the latest Money Smart Week, and follow us on Twitter: #moneysmartweek https://twitter.com/ALA_CRO

 

If you’re attending the 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting:

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Money Smart Week @ Your Library, 1:00-2:30 p.m., Pennsylvania Convention Center, 120 A

In 2013 libraries in 47 states participated in Money Smart Week @ your library. Come hear how your library and your state can participate in Money Smart Week @ your library, April 5-12 in 2014. This national initiative from ALA and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago helps consumers of all ages improve their financial literacy. All types of libraries can participate. Learn about partnership opportunities, resources, and programming ideas.

Don

Don Wood
Program Officer
Chapter Relations Office
American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
dwood@ala.org
1-800-545-2433, ext. 2429; 312-280-2429
312-280-4392 (fax)
Become a Fan of I Love Libraries
Follow CRO on Twitter

“If you want to build a ship, don’t herd people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”undefinedAntoine de Saint-Exupéry

 

“No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible.”undefinedStanisław Jerzy Lec

The New York Library Association is pleased to offer “Genealogy Resources Part 2: Best Free Genealogy Websites” as the latest in our Continuing Education series, Thursday, January 16th at 2:00 PM.

Much genealogical research that formerly involved trips to libraries and historical societies can now be accomplished online. The Internet can now take you to websites, online collections and databases of census, military, cemetery and immigration information. This webinar will identify the best in FREE genealogy websites, including digitized vital records, photos, maps and important historical documents.

Please visit our page (http://www.nyla.org/max/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=974&MenuKey=career) for more information and to register.