RandomLibraryInfo: NETLS Information & Updates 9/15

GIVE ‘EM THE PICKLE

One of the sessions I attended at the ARSL conference last week was about serving the community and customer service. The program began with a viewing of Give 'em the pickle by Bob Farrell, based on his customer service book (1995). If you are planning to address customer service with your staff or group, preview the 21 minute presentation here. The video is listed in WorldCat (OCLC Accession Number: 55884240) so it may be available through ILL.

HELP!
One of the NETLS nonprofit libraries is hoping to stay competitive in their total compensation for employees. If you have a document or link you can provide to show salary scales and benefits packages, please send to me.

STARTING SURVEYS
As we begin our new fiscal year we’ll be sending a series of quick surveys, primarily to confirm your intention to participate in our group purchases or subsidy. The current survey tallies your intent to participate in the courier service. Please respond to all surveys, even if your answer is “No, thanks!”

FREE TO LIBRARIES
Book boxes use during library renovation are free for the taking. Contact Sandy Gallion if you are willing to pick up the boxes at Balch Springs library.

JOB POSTINGS
The City of McKinney has a job opening for Public Services Supervisor.

COOL TOOL

If you’re using a current browser, try PrintWhatYouWant.com to print only the portions of websites you want. The changes you make here can be saved -- a good way to remove advertisements and active content from training handouts, etc. See the FAQ here.

OPPORTUNITIES…
1. Chili’s Fundraiser… Talk to your local Chili’s to arrange your fundraising days. Garland’s announcement:

Help Earn Money for the Friends of the Library. Simply eat at any Garland Chili’s Restaurant on October 5 and 6, from 4-10 p.m. These dates have been designated “Friends of the Library Nights”, and 10% of your total bill will be donated to the Friends. Remember to present the official flyer to qualify for the donation (flyer must be presented for Friends to receive donation). Flyers will be available at all Garland Library locations and inserted into the October issue of the ACCESS.

OPPORTUNITIES
2.    The ILL/Courier Working Group has vacancies for two public librarians. Please send your nominations to the TexNet Database Coordinator, Sue Bennett by September 15, 2009.   You may make your nomination (may nominate yourself) by phone (512.463.7406), fax (512.936.2306).

Please include:
    Nominee's name
    Library
    Position
    Full contact information
    A brief statement of a nominee's qualifications.
    Written assurance that the nomination has the support of the nominee's library director.

Working group members should participate in the group's meetings, generally held two to four times annually (with one of the meetings in-person and the others by conference call), and follow through with assignments. Potential members must have the support of their institution for travel to at least one in-person meeting each year. Travel costs are not reimbursed by TexShare or the Texas State Library.

Potential members should have experience or an interest in the program area, a desire to enhance multi-type library resource sharing in Texas, and an interest in designing innovative programs to enhance library services to Texans.

OPPORTUNITIES…
3. The Gates Foundation's Opportunity Online Broadband Grant Program is looking for high-impact stories directly from patrons, commentary from library staff about the services they are able to provide or would provide if they had a broadband connection, and what patrons have done with the increased connection speed if they have gotten a high-speed connection. A video team is planning to be in the state for a week in September to try to get film stories in as many sites as possible. If you are interested in participating in this project please read this blog post and contact Dawn Vogler at (512) 936-4449.

Libraries not currently subscribing to broadband service should have received invitations to the Opportunity Online Summit in San Antonio next month. Library directors are encouraged to invite one community decision leader to attend the event. Libraries with broadband and not eligible for the new program may also be invited to the summit to share their experiences.

OPPORTUNITIES…
4. Preaching to the choir – Thriving Libraries Reflect Thriving Cities (pdf) published by Texas Municipal League, January 2009.

OPPORTUNITIES…
5. On TSLAC’s Library Development Blog

Free Online CE during September 2009 Library Related Courses Management Related Courses

PLINKIT project wins national award (Texas Plinkit page)

Ongoing Gale database training webinars(newest products are listed first)

Ongoing E-Library training – see blog post here

Also available: Archives of SirsiDynix Institutes

Librarian Live Podcasts

September 15 From the Page to Your Ears: The Making and Dissemination of an Audiobook

webinar

By September 15 Ezra Jack Keats Minigrant applications due

By September 15 Humanities Texas (Major) Grant applications due