Wednesday, September 24, 2008

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Cataloging With AACR2 & MARC 21: For Books, Electronic Resources, Sound Recordings, Videorecordings, and Serials
Author: Deborah A. Fritz

Summary:
For anyone who is doing original cataloging on a regular basis or has a back up of odd items you want to add to your collection and can’t find any pre-done records, this is the reference resource for you. Examples of the cataloging rules and MARC fields are shown.

Friday, September 19, 2008

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Storytime for Two-Year-Olds, Third Edition
Author: Judy Nichols

Summary
The newest edition of this classic best-seller updates techniques and programs to engage some of our harshest critics: two-year-olds. Included in the book are plans for program themes including books, fingerplays, crafts, parent-oriented notes, and program notes. If you are looking to start or revitalize a toddler targeted storytime, this is the perfect book to get you going.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

BOOK SALE AT SIGOURNEY!

Sigourney Public Library is having their "Friends of the Library Book Sale" On Friday, September 19th, from 11am-6pm, and Saturday, September 20th, from 10am-1pm. The sale will be held in the large meeting room in the Library located at 720 E. Jackson, in Sigourney, IA. Lots and lots of items from various media will be offered. Since it's held inside, the sale will go on rain or shine. For more information, you may contact the Library at (641) 622-2890.


Tuesday, September 16, 2008

PRINTER FOR SALE AT WHAT CHEER

The What Cheer Public Library has an HP 4200n Laserjet printer that came with the original Gates grants, that they have replaced with a color laser with the new Gates funds. It works just fine, has never had extremely high use, and has toner. They are asking $25 and you pick it up if you are interested. Please contact:

William Miller, Director
641-634-2859
wc.library@mchsi.com

Friday, September 12, 2008

Common launches The Corner

The Common Ground Foundation, created by hip-hop artist, actor, and children’s author Lonnie Rashid Lynn (known as “Common”) dedicates itself to the empowerment and development of urban youth in the United States. Now the Common Ground Foundation has launched The Corner, a national online book club. This interactive platform provides youth, ages 13–18… (from American Libraries Direct 8/27/08)
10 reasons not to write off reading from a screen

Michael Bhaskar writes: “Over the past few months there has been much discussion of an impending digital revolution in the way we read books. While much of this is hyperbole, there has been incredulity in many quarters that anyone would ever want to read from a screen. We are all attached to books, and the idea seems at first glance anachronistic. However there are some good reasons why it might not go away as quickly as you’d think. Here’s why.”...( from American Libraries Direct 8/27/08)
10 ways to cope with information overload from American Libraries Direct, 8/27/08

Thursday, September 11, 2008

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: The New OPL Sourcebook: A Guide for Solo and Small Libraries
Author: Judith A. Siess

Summary:
Siess grew to fame with the One Person Library Newsletter when she took it over in 1998. In 2001, she compiled the first edition of The OPL Sourcebook and it instantly became a must have book for professional collections. This expanded and revised edition is broken into two main sections: “The Basics” and “Resources”. “The Basics” includes discussions on what constitutes an OPL, general management concepts, time management, financial management, communication and marketing, technology, the future of the one person library, and a host of other topics. The resources section is broken into topic areas such as business, medical, government, technology, humanities, law and copyright, “libraryland”, and the sciences. This book is specifically written for libraries of a certain size without regard to general focus area (public, academic, special).

SLS CLASS SCHEDULE CHANGE


This is just to let you know due to a change in schedule of another program, we have had to move the date of the December 16th Free Databases for Libraries class. It will now be held on Thursday, December 18th at 10 am. Please contact Katie Dunneback at kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us if you have any questions.
Top 10 electronic calendar tricks

Kevin Purdy writes: “Your online or desktop calendar can do a lot more than just hold dates and tell you about them. Free programs and tweaks can integrate appointments into your email app, embed a whole-month view into your wallpaper, schedule birthdays without a single phone call, and improve your faulty memory for everything. Take a look at 10 free and customizable hacks you can apply to your own appointment-keeping system.”...( from American Libraries Direct 8/27/08)
Take that, stupid printer!

Farhad Manjoo writes: “Because the industry operates on a classic razor-and-blades business model—printers themselves aren’t pricy, but ink and toner refills cost an exorbitant amount—printer manufacturers have a huge incentive to get you to replace your cartridges quickly. Many brands are outfitted with sensors or software that try to predict when they’ll run out of ink. Often, though, the printer’s guess is off. However, instructions for fooling different laser printers into thinking you’ve installed a new cartridge are easy to come by.” For other printer problems, try fixyourownprinter.com....(article from Slate online, link from American Libraries Direct 8/27/08)

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

AskKids.com Relaunches With Drawing Feature

Nathania Johnson writes: “Finding online learning resources that are safe, well-designed, and fun for my kids is important—but inexplicably difficult. That’s why I was thrilled to learn about Ask.com’s expansion and redesign of AskKids.com. And at the bottom right corner of the front page, there’s a box with a pen, pencil, and highlighter. You can grab one of the utensils with your mouse and draw directly on the page! It rocks. There’s also a tab for ‘stickers’ that you can put on your drawing.”... (from American Libraries Direct 8/27/08)
Lawrence Library Director Keeps Promise to Eat Bugs

Several months ago, the Lawrence (Kans.) Public Library director threw out a challenge. Bruce Flanders had vowed to eat insects if children participating in the 2008 summer reading program—“Catch the Reading Bug”—read lots of books beyond those required in the program…(from American Libraries Direct 8/27/08)
Don't Have a Cow, Man - Nancy Cartwright Offers PSAs for Teen Read Week

Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, has recorded three public service announcements for Teen Read Week 2008. You can download the PSAs and use them to raise awareness about Teen Read Week. They can be played over school announcements or provided to a local radio station to use. Each PSA is 30 seconds long. Teen Read Week will be celebrated October 12–18....(from ALA’s web site)
"LHTLO" CLASSES ADDED

In preparation for the fabulous online Iowa Small Libraries conference coming in January, we’ve added more sessions of the ever popular Learn How to Learn Online class. A microphone headset is required. Feel free to take a refresher session, though CE credit is only good for the first time you take the class. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Dunneback at kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us , and sign up is available through the State Library’s CE catalog: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/.

Tuesday, November 25th 11 am to 12 pm
Wednesday, December 17th 2 pm to 3 pm
Tuesday, December 30th 11 am to 12 pm
Tuesday, January 6th 2 pm to 3 pm
Thursday, January 15th 11 am to 12 pm

Friday, September 05, 2008


Join us for "ANNUAL REPORT WORKDAY"!

If you’re interested in a relaxed atmosphere as you work on your report, consider joining us for an Annual Report Workday. SLS will provide some treats, our regional partners will provide a computer lab, and you just need to bring your statistics. We’ll be on hand to help answer questions and navigate through the reports.

Kalona, September 29
IHCC in Ottumwa, September 30
Both days from 9 until Noon

Register through the CE catalog.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Professional Book of the Week

Title: The Thriving Library: Successful Strategies for Challenging Times
Author: Marylaine Block

Summary:
Block, author of the website Neat New Stuff I Found on the Net, explores strategies and programs which help libraries thrive in trying economic times. Chapters are broken into service areas and tasks such as children, teens, marketing, outreach and community involvement. Case studies are used to highlight points about each topic. A useful guide for any library serving the public today.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

REMINDER: "MySpace and More Class" repeated
As a reminder, the online MySpace and More class is being repeated this month on the 17th from 10 am to 12 pm and the 25th from 1 pm to 3 pm. The class will delve into the meaning behind “Library 2.0” and various services being explored for use in libraries. The class is worth 2 CE credits with the option of 1 CE credit available as extra credit for after-class work. Sign up today at the State CE Catalog: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/. Please contact Katie Dunneback, Consultant, at kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us if you have any questions.