NETLS Information & Updates 6/24

SUMMER FUN
      Send Steve Seale action photos from your summer events – we’ll try to feature them on our website. 

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WEBJUNCTION HAS RELEASED
      Competency Index for the Library Field the index is a compilation of competencies gathered from a variety of sources.  This index should come in handy when writing job descriptions, hiring, writing training and work plans, etc.

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FACILITY AID
    Do you have an up-to-date floor plan?   Vance Hunt & Associates has generously offered to help libraries by providing basic professionally drawn floor plans.  If you are interested in this no obligation opportunity contact Craig Tappe at 972-740-9008 or 800-228-2623.

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CHAT REFERENCE SERVICE
     If your library offers (or is interested in offering) chat reference, please contact me, you may be able to join and existing service and gain some cost savings.

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ROLES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY in supporting E-government highlighted in new issues brief.

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TEXpress COURIER COSTS 2010

We finally have the answer to one of the most frequent questions in our office this time of year! We expect to offer $900 subsidies for TEXpress service to libraries that are not receiving a subsidy from TSLAC.  There are two strings attached  – one is participation in sample week and the other is monthly reporting on the Amigos website.

    5 - day service   $4,500 – 900 (NETLS pays to Amigos) = $3,600 Library cost, paid to Amigos
     3 - day service   $3,075 – 900 (NETLS pays to Amigos) = $2,175 Library cost, paid to Amigos
     2 - day service   $2,425 – 900 (NETLS pays to Amigos) = $1,525 Library cost, paid to Amigos
 

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FREE PROGRAM RESOURCES

Another recommendation:  Contact County Extension Agent offices for no-cost or low-cost programming for the summer. Pittsburg is having a cotton gin demonstration on July 17 and they are also having some of their 4H students bring their small show animals to talk to the children about raising animals.

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LIVE HOMEWORK HELP (TUTOR.COM)
     Install the Silverlight plug-in on public access computers by July so that patrons will be able to use the new Live Homework Help Learning Suite in the library and so you may be able to advise home users on doing the same.  Contact Jennifer Hinton if you have questions about the product or process.

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COMPUTER BASICS
     Sylvia Rodriguez, Greenville, sent a full page of beginning computer user sites and tutorials, the most basic of all is this beginning mouse activity. (Here’s another simple mouse tutorial – cm)  An introduction to browsers and the Internet is here.  Thanks, Sylvia!

We’ll continue to share suggestions, so if you know of a great website, book, DVD or other tool to teach a first-time computer user to use a mouse, use toolbars, resize windows, navigate, etc – please send me an email.  The most basic stuff – pretend Rip Van Winkle woke up and asked for help with a computer.  J  We frequently have requests for this information and we want to share or develop the best!

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FREE TO A GOOD HOME…

     Three barcode scanners with round connector to the computer (probably PS2) to give away.  The scanners work but were replaced with scanners with USB connections.  Contact Nancy Murillo at the Pittsburg/Camp County Public Library.

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By July 1  The Preservation and Access Education and Training program is central to NEH’s efforts to preserve and establish access to cultural heritage resources.

July 10  Collaborative Digitization:  Preconference @ 2009 ALA Annual Conference

 

By July 15 Humanities Collections and Reference Resources   Funding from this program strengthens efforts to extend the life of important collections and make their intellectual content widely accessible, often through the use of digital technology.

 

July Helping Your Community Get Back to Work

• July 16 – Aubrey, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• July 17 – DeSoto, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• July 22 – Greenville, 12 to 4 p.m.
• July 23 – South Garland Branch, NMLS, 12 to 4 p.m.
• July 24 – Coppell, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

By July 24 Register to win 60 books from Sterling Publishing (read the rules  - a .pdf)

July 28-30 TLA Annual Assembly  Austin

 

Now through July 31  Everyone Wins -- When School and Public Libraries Cooperate! – Online 4 CEUs for school and public librarians.

 

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Below the line

   Summer Reading Promo  and this is fun too/

 

Just fun

Click the image to open in a new window. These words come from posts on this blog.

A library in Hawaii is posting words from various stories to have Summer Reading participants guess the book. Could enter names and titles as well. Wouldn't this look great on a t-shirt?

NETLS Information & Updates 6/19

COOPERATION GRANT 2010

Note:  I jumped the gun on this one.  The application has been recommended to the Commission, we are expecting Commission approval at their August 3^rd meeting.

Great news!  The joint grant application by West Texas Library System (WTLS) and NETLS has been approved!  The request is to include libraries from both systems in a joint catalog using the Koha integrated library system.  These funds will be available September 1. 

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FACILITY AID
    Do you have an up-to-date floor plan?   Vance Hunt & Associates has generously offered to help libraries by providing basic professionally drawn floor plans.  If you are interested in this no obligation opportunity contact Craig Tappe at 972-740-9008 or 800-228-2623.

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ARTICLE – DEFENDING THE DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY

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AMNESTY IN SAN FRANCISCO
     I’m not generally in support of amnesty programs, I fear materials may be held longer so they are returned during an amnesty but it seems amnesty really got the materials back in San Francisco!

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TEXpress COURIER COSTS 2010

We finally have the answer to one of the most frequent questions in our office this time of year! We expect to offer $900 subsidies for TEXpress service to libraries that are not receiving a subsidy from TSLAC.  There are two strings attached  – one is participation in sample week and the other is monthly reporting on the Amigos website.

    5 - day service   $4,500 – 900 (NETLS pays to Amigos) = $3,600 Library cost, paid to Amigos
     3 - day service   $3,075 – 900 (NETLS pays to Amigos) = $2,175 Library cost, paid to Amigos
     2 - day service   $2,425 – 900 (NETLS pays to Amigos) = $1,525 Library cost, paid to Amigos
 

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US STATE DEPARTMENT SPEAKS TO TWITTER OVER IRAN
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Sue Pleming]

The US State Department said on Tuesday it had contacted the social networking service Twitter to urge it to delay a planned upgrade that would have cut daytime service to Iranians who are disputing their election. Twitter and Facebook have been used as a tool by many young people to coordinate protests over the election's outcome. Twitter Inc said in a blog post it delayed a planned upgrade because of its role as an "important communication tool in Iran." The hour-long maintenance was put back to 5 p.m. EDT/2100 GMT, which corresponds to 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Iran. The upgrade originally had been planned for Monday night in the United States, which would have cut daytime service in Iran on Tuesday.
http://benton.org/node/25991

 

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LIVE HOMEWORK HELP (TUTOR.COM)
     Install the Silverlight plug-in on public access computers by July so that patrons will be able to use the new Live Homework Help Learning Suite in the library and so you may be able to advise home users on doing the same.  Contact Jennifer Hinton if you have questions about the product or process.

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COMPUTER BASICS
     I asked for resources and you came through – check out this great site suggested by Nancy Murillo of Pittsburg/Camp County Public Library.   While you’re on this website take a look at all their offerings. 

We’ll continue to share suggestions, so if you know of a great website, book, DVD or other tool to teach a first-time computer user to use a mouse, use toolbars, resize windows, navigate, etc – please send me an email.  The most basic stuff – pretend Rip Van Winkle woke up and asked for help with a computer.  J  We frequently have requests for this information and we want to share or develop the best!

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June 25  Community Partnerships: Moving from Talk to Action Longview Public Library

By July 1  The Preservation and Access Education and Training program is central to NEH’s efforts to preserve and establish access to cultural heritage resources.

July 10  Collaborative Digitization:  Preconference @ 2009 ALA Annual Conference

 

By July 15 Humanities Collections and Reference Resources   Funding from this program strengthens efforts to extend the life of important collections and make their intellectual content widely accessible, often through the use of digital technology.

 

July Helping Your Community Get Back to Work

• July 16 – Aubrey, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• July 17 – DeSoto, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• July 22 – Greenville, 12 to 4 p.m.
• July 23 – South Garland Branch, NMLS, 12 to 4 p.m.
• July 24 – Coppell, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

By July 24 Register to win 60 books from Sterling Publishing (read the rules  - a .pdf)

July 28-30 TLA Annual Assembly  Austin

 

Now through July 31  Everyone Wins -- When School and Public Libraries Cooperate! – Online 4 CEUs for school and public librarians.

 

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Below the line

   A blast from the past

 

 

NETLS Information & Updates 6/17

Sorry to intrude again so soon – this is a very busy time of year for everyone!

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ENERGY AID – PLEASE RESPOND

The State Library would like to know if any Texas libraries have purchased and are providing loans to patrons of energy detector toolkit/meters (such a "Kill-a-Watt"). The meters measure energy consumption. If you are please let Deborah Littrell know directly. deborah.littrel (@) tsl.state.tx.us. Thanks!

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TEXpress COURIER COSTS 2010

We finally have the answer to one of the most frequent questions in our office this time of year!   We have a line item in our proposed  2010 budget to subsidize 25 libraries with $900 each.  Please let us know If your library is NOT subsidized by TSLAC and you want a NETLS subsidy.

     5 - day service   $4,500 –
     3 - day service   $3,075 -
     2 - day service   $2,425 -

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TANG VISITS and INVENTORY  
     Jerry Brock, TANG Consultant,  is visiting targeted libraries this summer to perform technical assessments of computing environments.  Another of his tasks during these visits is to do a physical inventory of NETLS equipment in the libraries, so be sure you know where the items are and that the inventory tag (City of Garland) is readily visible.

 

     On a related note, please contact Robin Hayles in our office if NETLS equipment in your library is no longer in use.   Robin will clear your requests to remove items from inventory with the Consultants and get back to you with proper disposal information.  (In most cases the equipment does not need to come to the NETLS Office for disposal.)

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LEARNING EXPRESS LIBRARY
     There is a possibility that TSLAC may negotiate a statewide discount for Learning Express Library.  If you subscribe to this service and plan to continue it please let me know.

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COMPUTER BASICS
     If you know of a great website, book, DVD or other tool to teach a first-time computer user to use a mouse, use toolbars, resize windows, navigate, etc – please send me an email.  The most basic stuff – pretend Rip Van Winkle woke up and asked for help with a computer.  J  We frequently have requests for this information and we want to share or develop the best!

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WHAT I LEARNED TODAY (or what I learned that may be of interest to you)

     The videos with public performance rights that used to be part of the NETLS AV collection can be found in the catalog of the State Library of Louisiana with this search.  Another option for even more materials is to search OCLC WorldCat with an advanced keyword search for public performance and another keyword search for your topic (or use the title or author if they are known).

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June  Community Partnerships: Moving from Talk to Action 

o        June 17 Rockwall County Library (3 CPE)

o        June 18  Palestine Public Library (3 CPE)

o        June 25  Longview Public Library (3 CPE)

By July 1  The Preservation and Access Education and Training program is central to NEH’s efforts to preserve and establish access to cultural heritage resources.

July 10  Collaborative Digitization:  Preconference @ 2009 ALA Annual Conference

 

By July 15 Humanities Collections and Reference Resources   Funding from this program strengthens efforts to extend the life of important collections and make their intellectual content widely accessible, often through the use of digital technology.

 

July Helping Your Community Get Back to Work

• July 16 – Aubrey, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• July 17 – DeSoto, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• July 22 – Greenville, 12 to 4 p.m.
• July 23 – South Garland Branch, NMLS, 12 to 4 p.m.
• July 24 – Coppell, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

July 28-30 TLA Annual Assembly  Austin

 

Now through July 31  Everyone Wins -- When School and Public Libraries Cooperate! – Online 4 CEUs for school and public librarians.

 

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Below the line

     Sorry, nothing here!

 

 

NETLS Information & Updates 6/16

COOPERATION GRANT 2010

Great news! The joint grant application by West Texas Library System (WTLS) and NETLS has been approved! The request is to include libraries from both systems in a joint catalog using the Koha integrated library system. These funds will be available September 1.

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TEXpress COURIER COSTS 2010

We finally have the answer to one of the most frequent questions in our office this time of year!

5 - day service $4,500 –
3 - day service $3,075 -
2 - day service $2,425 -

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NEW BROADBAND COALITION TO PUSH FOR FOCUS ON 'ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS'
[SOURCE: BroadbandCensus.com, AUTHOR: Ryan Womack]

More than two-dozen separate organizations joined to reinvigorate the public library as a community "watering hole" for broadband access as the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition held a launch event Thursday at Washington's Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. The coalition grew out of a realization that the Internet is now a "fundamental cornerstone of modern education, learning...and the dissemination of information of free speech," said director Jim Windhausen. The goal of the coalition is to direct Broadband Technology Opportunity Program funding to anchor institutions in unserved areas, particularly schools, libraries, and health facilities. While Jenni Terri of the American Library Association said that the economic stimulus funds are "only seed money," ALA's hope is that the coalition can stand for the long term as a continual advocate for universal broadband. Made up of 28 schools, libraries and health-care providers (and Microsoft and the Benton Foundation), the SHLB says these groups need between 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps.
http://benton.org/node/25935

Still nothing for libraries directly but make sure your community is aware of funds to build or remodel fire stations. Funds for Strengthening Communities are also available, here is their second program.

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SUMMER PROGRAM PHOTOS
Take a look at the new photos on our homepage. Everyone is having fun! Submit your summer program action photos to Steve Seale for possible inclusion on the site.

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COMPUTER BASICS
If you know of a great website, book, DVD or other tool to teach a first-time computer user to use a mouse, use toolbars, resize windows, navigate, etc – please send me an email. The most basic stuff – pretend Rip Van Winkle woke up and asked for help with a computer. J We frequently have requests for this information and we want to share or develop the best!

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WHAT I LEARNED TODAY (or what I learned that may be of interest to you)

The videos with public performance rights that used to be part of the NETLS AV collection can be found in the catalog of the State Library of Louisiana with this search.

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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
One of the calendar items below offers an opportunity to attend an emergency preparedness workshop in Pittsburg (TX) next week. Debra Rhodes Gibson, former coordinator and a subscriber to the NETLS NEWS list, offers this recommendation:

“I saw where you were having a Disaster Preparedness training session and thought you might be interested in sharing this new web portal with your members. This portal has been a long time in the making and Florida librarians are quite excited about having all of this information and these resources in one place now.”

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Contact By June 19 Emergency Preparedness in Pittsburg on Thursday, June 25. Contact Steve Seale by June 19 to arrange NETLS payment for registration (includes lunch and supplies) for this workshop sponsored by the Texas Historical Commission in partnership with the Texas Association of Museums

June Community Partnerships: Moving from Talk to Action

o June 17 Rockwall County Library (3 CPE)

o June 18 Palestine Public Library (3 CPE)

o June 25 Longview Public Library (3 CPE)

By July 1 The Preservation and Access Education and Training program is central to NEH’s efforts to preserve and establish access to cultural heritage resources.

July 10 Collaborative Digitization: Preconference @ 2009 ALA Annual Conference

By July 15 Humanities Collections and Reference Resources Funding from this program strengthens efforts to extend the life of important collections and make their intellectual content widely accessible, often through the use of digital technology.

July Helping Your Community Get Back to Work

• July 16 – Aubrey, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• July 17 – DeSoto, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• July 22 – Greenville, 12 to 4 p.m.
• July 23 – South Garland Branch, NMLS, 12 to 4 p.m.
• July 24 – Coppell, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

July 28-30 TLA Annual Assembly Austin

Now through July 31 Everyone Wins -- When School and Public Libraries Cooperate! – Online 4 CEUs for school and public librarians.

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Below the line

Photo fun