“I Love This Place”, the theme of the Customer
Service Workshop I attended on Friday, Dec. 10 at the Morris County
Library in
Whippany, is the expression every “customer” should make when leaving
our
library.
Ms.
Joanne Roukens, Executive Director, Highland Regional Library
Cooperative who
presented the program emphasized the fact that “satisfied customers are essential to the success of any organization.” The dictionary defines the word
“customer”, as one who purchases a commodity or service. Therefore, Ms.
Roukens
prefers that word to patron since citizens’ tax dollars, etc.
support
their local library.
Ms.
Roukens told us to ask ourselves the question, “how does my library
measure up
in the Four Areas of Behavior?” Are we, APPROACHABLE, ATTENTIVE, HELPFUL and CONSIDERATE? Especially when
servicing customers face-to-face, we need to ASK what the
customer wants
(make sure you understand), RESPOND to the customer’s request
(answer
the question; refer the question) and SATISFY the customer’s
need (ask a
follow-up question- “can I help you with anything else?”)
The
Customer Service Self-Assessment questionnaire we completed during the
workshop
helped each of us isolate strengths and weaknesses in our performance
and
attitude toward our customers. Ms. Roukens encouraged each of us to
target an
area for improvement, inform a colleague of that area and ask for his
or her
evaluation of our progress.
Although
I have attended 3 Customer Service Workshops, there is always something
to be
reminded of and something new to learn. I appreciated the practical
reminders
and will review the handout information from time to time.
Saundra J. Miller
Judy DeMertgis, Conversation Group Leader
East Brunswick Public Library
Topics Covered:
Philosophy and goals of library sponsored conversation groups
Mechanics of organizing a group
Conversation class outline
Suggested discussion topics
How to handle problem learners
Bibliography
This session provided practical guidance on how to start a conversation group in your library. Ms. DeMertgis talked about her work with conversation group of local residents who wish to learn the English language. She works with them in a small group. While leading the group, she learns new cultures and acquired a new understanding of their own language.
Ms. Rafaels talked about a few simple guidelines:
Have lots of time to speak. Make every effort to involve each group member equally.
Make necessary preparations for each session.
Be flexible – Have an open door policy.
Plan and organize exercises, activities, etc. according to needs and interests of group participants.
Make it interesting and fun.
Debating religion or political differences are discouraged, other than that, anything and everything goes.
Any and all questions, comments, suggestions, ideas are encouraged and welcomed.
Not everything is doable, but the group leader can consider trying anything with in reason.
This workshop would help anyone who is willing to start Conversation Group. It is a terrific way to make some interesting new friends and a great way to learn a little bit about a person, his/her country, and the world around us.
Participants left the session with materials to organize an ESL Conversation Group for their foreign born population.
Where the BCCLS staff has presented Workflows Linking Manual
that deal specifically with all linking functions that staff members
will need
to navigate in the new system.
The same information is also on this website for easy access. (In addition, each library received two “hard copy” training manuals.)
The class participants did the following Workflows Linking Exercises:
Add Brief title
Modify Items Globally
Edit Existing Items
Add a Call Number and a Copy
Add a Copy to an Existing Call Number
Please refer to the Linking Manual for more information. We need to practice and learn this new system.
The
purpose of “Workflows Training” was to familiarize staff with the
Unicorn
system for facilitating Circulation Services that will be replacing the
familiar DRA SmarTerm on December 15, 2004.
To best prepare for the conversion staff are encouraged to make
use of
the website
Super
Supervisor Series Report Jeanne
Sylvester August
26, 2004
The first session focused on the
definition of “super supervisor” and included, fun small group projects
modeling their own super supervisor. The groups shared their ideas with
the
entire class and we all learned from each other. Other topics of this
first
session included the importance of discretion, the use of
confidentiality, the
role of the supervisor as the organization and appropriate
communication
methods.
The second session delved into the
importance of communication in a supervisor’s role at the library. Many
factors
interfere with the communication loop, and many problems arise as a
result of
poor communication skills. Open listening is the cornerstone of good
communication, and when used with paraphrasing and questioning it
promotes the
most positive understanding between people. Nonverbal communication
such as
body language, timing and space also influence the interaction, and we
were
given the model of SOLER: S-Smile, O-Open Posture, L-Lean Forward,
E-Eye
Contact and R-Relax to use in our communications. We than had small
group
practice sessions with feedback amongst our peers.
Session three continued the dialog
about communication, with discussions of different methods and means of
communication. Pros and cons of verbal, written, electronic, group and
individual were discussed and suggestions were made about the most
appropriate
uses of these formats. Negative behavior and attitude on the workplace
was
discussed as well as how supervise this type of personality. Effective
coaching
was discussed and demonstrated to deal with performance, conduct and
attendance
problems.
Conflict Management was the topic of
session #4.The class all took a conflict management test before the
class, and
discovered their conflict management style. The different styles such
as
controlling, accommodating, compromising and more all had unique
benefits, and
appropriate uses. It is best to use a variety of styles when dealing
with
conflict, depending on the situation. Practice sessions offered the
students a
chance to practice positive and assertive conflict management
techniques, and
then get offered feedback by observers.
Time Management was the topic of
session #5. Assessing the differences between urgent and important
matters will
effect how we manage and balance our time.
We can use the in our personal, professional and social lives to
be able
to achieve what is important, and urgent. Effective communication and
delegation of tasks is an important component in successful time
management.
Session #6 dealt with documentation,
and particularly its use in a civil service environment, which is
common in NJ
libraries. A supervisor should always document discipline regarding
performance
issues. From the informal incident diary to the formal written
memorandum,
documentation provides proof of an attempt to deal with discipline at
work. It
was also graduation day for the students and many of the students’
supervisors
attended. We all enjoyed a special luncheon and received our diplomas.
Now it
is time to put into practice all the lessons learned and to review and
consider
the copious information given in the form of handouts, reading lists
and
discussions.
On Wednesday,
August 19, 2004, I attended the
Dreamweaver MX Level 1 basic course.
The class was held at the New Horizons Computer Learning Center
in
Iselin. The class was an introduction
of web development using the program Macromedia Dreamweaver MX. The instructor first spoke about Internet
access and HTML, the basics of creating a web site and building a web
site
using templates. We also learned how to
include images, tables, and templates that can be saved but edited. We worked with links within a site and
enhancing navigation in a site using framesets and re-usable navigation
bars. After completing all of the steps to
our web
sites, the instructor showed us how to upload them.
For a level 1 class we reviewed a lot of information. The instructor advised us to take the level
2 class or re-take the level 1. We are
able to re-take the class within 6 months after the class date for free. The instructor also showed us how to access
the Dreamweaver manual through the New Horizons web page for future
reference.
Top
Effective Meetings - Rahway Public
Library,
July 20, 2004 - Jeanne Sylvester
On
Tuesday, July 20th I
attended a workshop titled “Effective Meetings” at the Rahway Public
Library,
sponsored by the Infolink Library Consortium. This
brief meeting was led by Kathy Schalk-Greene of the Mount Laurel Library
Discussed
were: meetings as a process, tips on agenda creation, roles and
responsibilities of the leaders and participants.
After this
presentation, we
broke up into our Infolink Committee and Task Force Assignments for the
2004-2005
fiscal year. I am on the Career Development Committee and 3 of the
other
members were present. We discussed our goals and responsibilities for
the
coming year, activities of the past year, and proposed our next meeting
date.
Top
On July 13th, 2004, Carol Schneider-Linn and
Debbie D’Ambrosio
attended a Dreamweaver MX Level 1 course at the New Horizons Computer
Learning
Center in Parsippany. The course
introduced us to the basics of the Macromedia Dreamweaver MX Web
development
application.
The first half of the course discussed Internet access,
HTML, creating a web site, and building a web site while the second
half
covered adding content to web pages, working with links, enhancing
navigation
in a site as well as managing and uploading a web site.
While the information covered seemed like a
lot of material, our instructor Jeff Peters assured us that we could
obtain
help in the future by accessing New Horizons’ Integrated Learning
Manager
Student Resources online, by referring to a booklet that was provided,
and by
retaking the course for free as long as it was within six months of the
course
date.
On June 8 I attended the Introduction to Computer Networks workshop offered by the Highlands Regional Library Cooperative at the BCCLS office in Hackensack. Ciro Petti taught the class.
Mr. Petti gave an overview of networks, i.e., what they are, how they work, why they are used, and what the components are. Each member of the class was given a copy of Networking for Dummies. My copy is being added to the library’s collection.
A network is a central data source made up of a group of computers connected to one another.
There are client and server computers. The server is usually a dedicated computer on a network that shares resources with other network users. However, a server may also be designated a client on the network.
The client is a computer on a network that has access to the network and does not share any of its resources with others on the network.
A server can be either software or hardware depending on the discussion you are having.
Networks provide shared capability and a sense of community.
An Internet server, a file server, and a print server can all be on the same machine with appropriate software for each.
The number of users on a network, memory, hard disk space, and central processing unit (CPU) speed determine how much you can put on a server. The number of users on the system also determines disk space. Servers can be dedicated or non-dedicated. A dedicated server is used exclusively as a network server. The number of people being served determines the decision about the type of server to use.
Server considerations
· Processor speed is important to provide enough access for
everyone
· Hard drive space depends on the number of people on the server
and the amount of storage space needed
Two types of hard drives
SCSI (small computer systems interface) pronounced
skuzzy is robust, offers high speed, with the capability of connecting
up to 15 computers and it’s very expensive
IDE, each letter is pronounced individually, is
moderately robust, provides medium to high speed, with the capability
of
connecting 12 computers and it’s low cost
Drive letter partitioning--one drive is partitioned to
several
other drive letters, e.g., XYZ. This creates personal drives and
shared drives.
· Memory
· Operating system
Netware - Novell server; Windows 2000 - Microsoft
server, Linux
(Linux created by Linus Torvalds is a fast operating system requiring
little space with no extras like Microsoft. Linux is an open
source
operating system, which is available for free to the general public for
use and modification.)
· Printer
· CD ROM drive
DVD drive
· Raid--group of CD ROM drives
· Software--management software indicating who is on the network
A peer network is a group of peer machines connected by a switch or hub. Everyone has access to everyone else’s computer. This type of network lacks the ability to control the network effectively and there are security issues. Napster was a peer-to- peer setup--file sharing.
Network Infrastructure
· Computers
· Cables
· Network interface cards (NIC’s)
· Network software, e.g., XP, NT, 2000
· Hub, which connects all the computers to a server
On a network computers have names rather than numbers or letters for easy identification purposes. Network resources should have names as well.
A network may have shared folders or a personal drive, not the C drive. In a shared folder or on a personal drive there may be stored guidelines, policies, and projects a number of people are working on together. All of which may be shared with a number of people on the network. Since networks are backed up regularly, so are personal drives.
Mapping a network drive makes a drive available
to
a user on his or her machine as soon as the computer is turned
on.
Mapping provides a drive letter to a shared folder. You can use
the
drive letter to access the folder as if it were a local drive.
Network printers
Printers use drivers. A translator is a
program
that decodes or explains information from a program you are using to
the
printer.
Mr. Petti also spoke briefly about the following:
DNS--Domain Name Server
DNS takes a web address from the browser and changes it to an IP
address,
which consists of numbers. The numbers are transmitted along
telephone
lines.
TCP/IP--Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
TCP/IP facilitates the transmission of information from a web page
over the Internet through packets of data. A page is broken up
into
packets and then reassembled at its destination.
Wireless networking
Wireless networking works through the transmission of radio
signals.
A wireless card has an antenna with a 300-foot range.
Storage formats and space availability
Floppy Disk CD ROM
DVD
1.44MB
680MB 4.7GB
double sided – 9.2GB
Adware, Spybot, Spyware Blaster, and Hijack This offer protection from pop-up ads and intrusion from others looking at what you are doing on your computer.
Visio diagramming software by Microsoft can be used to create a network diagram.
Hotfix Checker by Microsoft scans your computer to see what patches need to be applied.
The following two sites www.cnet.com and www.zdnet.com offer
discussion
about spyware, eliminating spam and general computer information.
Top
NJALA 18TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SUPPORT STAFF: OVERCOMING OBSTACLES, EMBRACING CHANGE,
Presented
by New Jersey Association of Library Assistants and Seton Hall
University,
June 8, 2004 - Trina Staropoli
The keynote speaker was Jane Kelly, author and former chair of the Information Technology Division of the Special Libraries Association. Ms. Kelly focused on the ongoing need for library employees to be receptive to change. As change is inevitable it is of vital importance to keep current with the latest technologies and shifting realities of the workplace to remain relevant on the job. Also, as an up-and-coming mystery writer, she pointed out the benefit of enlisting local authors for programs at the library.
ME, A LIBRARIAN? HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN
Seminar presented by: Susan Bryant, New Jersey State Library
Peggy Cadigan, New Jersey State Library
Janet Eichoff, Thomas Edison State College
Connie Paul, Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative
Jana Varlejs, Ph.D., Rutgers University
Connie Paul stressed the pressing need for librarians for the 21st century. Susan Bryant spoke of the half million-dollar grant that was part of Laura Bush’s recruitment initiative that will allow selected students to pursue a BA at Thomas Edison State College and an MLS at Rutgers University. The chief purpose of this particular grant was to educate a diverse group of urban library workers as librarians and library technicians.
Dr. Varlejs presented a realistic overview of what the graduate program at Rutgers involves, including admission requirements and the computer proficiency necessary to succeed in the program. She spoke of scholarship opportunities, college fees, the admission process, etc. Helpful email addresses were provided, as well as handouts.
SUPERVISION: BASICS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE DAY
Seminar presented by: Kathy Falco, Ocean County Library
Kathi Frampton, Ocean County Library
This was an introductory level seminar on supervisory basics.
The presenters spoke at length on discretion, management basics,
scheduling,
time management, documentation and lifelong learning. Each
participant
received a helpful packet that provided examples from each of these
areas.
The presenters hold supervisory positions at their libraries and shared
tips and advice that they have learned “on-the-job.” What made
this
presentation so successful was that it would benefit all employees, not
only supervisors, who strive to maintain a professional demeanor in the
workplace.
Top
The theme of the Conference was "Support Staff-Overcoming Obstacles…Embracing Change." The keynote speaker was Jane Kelly, author of several mysteries. She was also the speaker in the "Meet the Author" workshop. Her comments were centered around the changes that occur in life and how the world changes almost daily. She referred to "paradigm shifts", these are the changes that occur almost without us knowing it, but we should embrace each change as it comes. These "paradigm shifts" allow us to adapt to something different in our lives. In other words sometimes we have to step away and look at the world a new way and only then can we say we are not afraid of change.
COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP-A.M. - WHAT' D YOU SAY? HOW DID YOU SAY
IT? WHAT DID YOU MEAN?
This workshop was given by Marilyn Bass.
She is a volunteer coordinator for the Literacy Program in Ocean County
Library. Ms. Bass emphasized four words that are the basis of all
communication - "Send-Receive-Understand-Act". The words in turn
are responded to with "Reaction and Feedback". Most of the skills
that were discussed were much like the Reference Interview. Page
3 of the communication packet lists the basis for effective
communication.
There are also four other words that can help in any communication
situation
- "Identify-Define-Develop-Choose". Page 5 of the packet lists a
key to effective speaking. Listening also has several points that
can mean the difference in any communication situation, page 6 of the
packet
explains it further. Some of the exercises in the packet were done
verbally
in the workshop. All of the information in the packet serves as a
help and a reminder that communication is not only talking and speaking
but communicating good will and the difference between a happy patron
and
a disgruntled one. (Attached please find packet used in the
workshop)
THE NATURAL RHYTHM OF THING WORKSHOP - P.M.
This workshop was given by Danny and Kim
Adlerman
who are authors of several children's books and who are certified in
Special
Education. The workshop dealt mainly with how to teach children
to
learn and have fun doing it. Mr. Adlerman pointed out that
learning
should be fun and proceeded to tell those present about a book that he
And his wife published about the 9/ll tragedy. They went to
several
schools and interviewed children from kindergarten to eighth grade
about
9/ll, asking they how they felt and to express themselves in word and
art.
The book contains all of the poems and art by these children. He
pointed out that in this way they were learning about a part of history
and that they had a part in the healing. He and his wife sang
some
of the songs they had written and the entire workshop participated and
played instruments. It was a fun time and you could see how
children
would adapt to this. His wife is an artist and does most of the
art
in the books they write. She uses natural sources like, pencil
shavings
to portray sand, cuts paper by hand to get different waves in water and
rocks of different shapes to show mountains. It was a most
enlightening
workshop and enjoyable. Learning can be fun at any age.
Top
I attended a NJALA Conference at Seton Hall
in which the key note speaker emphasized how
important it is to embrace change. She explained how she had
to do this when her job in the business
world was dissolved. She changed her career and became a
successful
mystery writer. She said how
important it is not to be afraid of change.
I later attended a Meet the Author workshop
in which Jane Kelly was the presenter. A group
of us created a plot and characters for a book by using the workshop
class as the place where the
mystery occurred. It was very interesting and entertaining.
In the afternoon I attended a Q&A NJ workshop presented by
Pete Bromberg. He explained
how people’s expectations have changed so libraries must make
information
more accessible to people.
Virtual reference enables people to have free, interactive, search
assistance on the Web. It is available
24 hours a day and 7 days a week. There is the expertise of a
librarian and it reaches people who
might not be library users. The service is used by students,
professionals, and people of all ages. There
is also a partnership with Tutor.com in which students can receive
homework help from qualified tutors.
Top
Day One: Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Trends in Web Searching: A Look Ahead
The speaker of the first workshop was Ms. Marydee Ojala of ONLINE
Magazine.
As an editor of ONLINE Magazine, Ms. Ojala has written extensively on
various
content issues and spoken at top industry trade shows. She is a Fellow
of the Special Libraries Association, has an MLS from the University of
Pittsburgh and an AB from Brown University.
Ms. Ojala presented a program that centered on the theme of change,
both technological and personal. She explained that the Internet is
probably
the most disruptive technology that information professionals have ever
encountered. Everyone’s a searcher, but not everyone finds answers. Web
search is a big business. Many people working in and around the search
business including search engine optimizers, technology writers and
librarians
are working hard to distinguish themselves from other experts in the
field.
With that, she went on to explain some of the growing trends affecting
Internet searching and how it can be improved.
Issues for the Web Searcher
Dr. Randolph Hock was the speaker of this presentation. As a member
of the Online Strategies Company, Dr. Hock specializes in customized
seminars
on using the Web effectively. Dr. Hock is also an author of “The
Extreme
Searcher’s Guide to Web Search Engines.” This revised edition covers
all
the major search engines and revel their often overlooked special
features.
Dr. Hock explained about the many worries that face Internet searchers
and the roots of these problems. In doing so, he tried to make the
audience
understand the difference between caution on the web and total
“paranoia”.
Even though there isn’t always a clear answer to some issues, a major
key
in his presentation was to take all things in moderation.
The three main categories that need attention by the average Internet
searcher are the laws, threats, and quality of your product. Laws
include
copyright and liability. To explain copyright laws to your clients or
patrons
is tough job, use a good copyright website such as Stanford University
site at fairuse.Stanford.edu.
Threats could include security and privacy issues, deception, and cyber
crime. Finally, quality of your product could be looked at in two
degrees,
quality of information and keeping up with resources, tools, and
techniques.
According to Dr. Hock, by taking serious consideration of each of these
factors with a certain amount of moderation, Web searching will not
only
be safe, but highly efficient in finding exactly what you’re looking
for.
Conclusion: Choose your worries carefully; use a few carefully selected
solution sites, advisors, and readings.
Dr. Hock also recommended a book called, “Net Crimes and Misdemeanors:
Outmaneuvering the spammers, swindlers, and stalkers who are targeting
you online.” By Jayne A. Hitchcock.
New and Advanced Search Techniques
Mr. Greg R. Notess, host of the next presentation, is the founder of
Search Engine Showdown. (http://www.searchengineshowdown.com)
This
web site is a source of information on the major spidery search
engines.
As a writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker, Mr. Notess
has
been promoting his techniques from Stockholm to London. He also
consults
several major (and minor) search engine companies.
He explained the essentials of advanced searching were knowing the
search engine databases, basic and advanced commands, and
functionality.
He revealed the better search engines today, such as Google, Teoma, and
Wisenut, and the ones that have recently died, which include Altavista,
Lycos, and AlltheWeb (even though they are not much used today, Mr.
Notess
was quick to point out that they still have certain advantages over
today’s
popular engines).
Mr. Notess then went into the more advanced features of today’s search
engines, which included limits, case sensitivity, cache mining, and
clustering.
He explained the “simple first, complex later” method, which stated to
use as few features as possible for the best range of results. He also
discussed the functionality features affecting some of the larger
search
engines. These problems included link search failures, database
changes,
counting complexities, and continually changing search engines.
How to Uncover Information that Others Can’t Find
The speaker of our next seminar was Mary Ellen Bates, owner of Bates
Information Services. Her company provides business services to
business
professionals and back-up research support to special librarians. She
is
also the author of six books and a frequent international speaker on
information
industry issues.
Ms. Bates stated that the best way to achieve the goal of uncovering
information not available to everyone was to think creatively, expand
search
horizons, and learn the tips and techniques of the industry. With
thinking
creatively, Ms. Bates explained that you must search for sources, not
just
information. Moreover, anticipate how the answer will appear and know
exactly
what you’re looking for. In expanding your horizons, she wanted more
people
to try new search engines and test the Groowe toolbar.
Ms. Bates was also able to share some of the tips she had acquired
in her years of working on Internet searching. Some of the valuable
information
she shared with us included “pearl culturing” with directories, using
“type
of document” indicators, and tapping into the thesaurus for clues,
synonyms,
and acronyms. Click on http://www.batesinfo.com for “Info Brokering”,
“tip
of the month” and check http://answers.google.com and see how people
pay
for their answers.
Why SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Matters
Mr. Gary Price was our next speaker. Mr. Price is a library and
information
research consultant based in suburban Washington, D.C. He is also a
compiler
of several well-known research tools and the editor of The Virtual
Acquisition
Shelf, News Desk and Resource shelf (http://www.resourceshelf.com)
Resource
shelf is a free website of resources and news for information
professionals.
He earned his Masters of Library and Information Science degree from
Wayne
State University in Detroit, Michigan.
Mr. Price explained the importance of SEO and how it is a constantly
growing industry. He covered the various terms and links that matter in
optimization, which included cost per click, paid inclusions, link
farms,
and bombing. He explained the importance of understanding these terms
is
that when it comes to Web searching, there are so many implications and
manipulations that it could prevent the searcher from getting honest,
unbiased,
and believable search results.
Meet the Pros
The speakers gave an overview of what was told today and how to integrate it into daily use. They introduced the program with web tracking software that would help monitor changes in any Web page. This means that false links and browsers could be kept up to date, which leads to faster results when searching. They also aided in the task of researching private companies, an insurmountable task sometimes. Lastly, the group spoke about various techniques in working similar searching tasks common to many libraries and public companies.
Please refer to the binder for more information.
Top
On May 13th, 2004, Carol Schneider-Linn and Dora Oliviero attended a FranklinCovey workshop entitled FOCUS Achieving Your Highest Priorities. The goal of the workshop was to increase personal and professional productivity.
Workshop participants were presented with a time matrix of four quadrants. The four quadrants were: Necessity (quadrant I); Productivity and Balance (quadrant II); Deception (quadrant III) & Waste and Excess (quadrant IV).
We also were introduced to a Productivity Pyramid that consisted of
four levels: Plan Daily, Plan Weekly, Set Goals, and Identify
Values.
The program concluded with an analysis of a Planning System that can be
adopted by using FranklinCovey planners.
Top
I attended Websearch University organized and produced by Information Today, Inc. on May 11 and 12, 2004 in New York. The two-day program was titled Power Searching with the Pros.
Brief biographical information precedes each topic covered on May 12.
Genie Tyburski works at Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP. She is the web manager of The Virtual Chase, which is a site providing Internet research strategies and information for professional researchers and professionals in the legal field. She also writes the Tyburski Files a law office computing column about electronic research strategies. She speaks about Internet research concerns at library and continuing legal education programs. She is editor of Introduction to Online Legal, Regulatory & Intellectual Property.
Evaluating Web Search Results - Genie Tyburski
Professional searchers evaluate search results and
Web pages for accuracy, authenticity, timeliness, and
appropriateness.
Things a search professional must also consider during the search
process
in order to evaluate the results are information quality. In order to
detect
quality information we are not only looking at the accuracy,
objectivity,
completeness and timeliness of the information, but also who is
providing
the information. A thorough evaluation of information involves
identifying
the source, i.e., who owns the domain or sponsors it. Sources can
be checked with Whois Source at www.whois.sc.
A simple check of a site would include looking at the following:
About us page
Authors’ biographies
Pages the site links to
Grammar and spelling
Writing style – is it objective or persuasive?
Determine the reputations of the sources:
Within an industry
Judged by sites you know and trust
Authors’ reputations and credentials - Verify authors’ credentials
through organizations, news, law (criminal check or any
legal
problems the person may have been involved in)
How well published are the authors?
Who are the publishers, are they well established?
Examine advertising, e.g., drug sites – is the site selling a product
and also providing information about the drug?
Timeliness – check dates on the site
Look at the historical context – when was the information written and
when was it reviewed and updated?
Verify information using primary sources, i.e., written documents and
in
person contact
Be aware of scams:
Check the news
Get-rich-quick schemes
Pleas for help
If it’s too good to be true. . .
Understand best business practices:
Don’t use e-mail for account and financial problems
Look for correct grammar and spelling
Independently verify information
Be suspicious
Go to the source but not from a web page link
Web sites to check scams:
FTC news releases - www.ftc.gov/ftc/news.htm
Internet Fraud Complaint Center press releases -
www.ifccfbi.gov/strategy/pressroom.asp
Tips to help you find good information:
First search for sources not the answer to a question
Look at who cares about the information you are searching
Look at who is responsible for providing the information you
are looking at
Look at domain names in search results in the context of your
searching, i.e., look at government sites, trade and professional
associations, special libraries and advocacy groups
Look at subject directories for topical research:
Librarians Index to the Internet http://lii.org
Infomine http://infomine.ucr.edu - scholarly Inernet resource
collections
The Virtual Chase www.virtualchase.com
Research Discovery Network www.rdn.ac.uk - education and
research
organizations
Greg Notess is an author, consultant and speaker,
associate professor and reference librarian at Montana State
University-Bozeman.
He wrote Government Information on the Internet, a directory of U.S.
federal,
state, local and international government websites.
Gregg is the founder of
www.searchengineshowdown.com
where he reviews and compares the web search environment.
Searching Newsgroups and Blogs - Greg Notess
Newsgroups are discussion forums for opinions and some current
news.
Some blogs are now considered current news forums with opinions and
discussions.
Group Discussions
Google groups are archival
Yahoo! Groups can restrict members
Other opinion sources include: review of products on shopping
sites and sites such as Amazon and www.Epinions.com.
Weblogs and RSS
A blog is a piece of software that allows you to post news stories.
RSS stands for rich site summary or real simple syndication.
RSS is similar to push technology in that news feeds are all given at
once.
Navigating blogs:
Look at blogs of interest to you, of people you trust and aggregators.
Establish a reading pattern.
Finding blogs:
www.libdex.com/weblogs.html (Peter Scott)
www.lights.com/weblogs/searching.html
Search a community of interest
One person or a small group of people runs blogs and RSS sites. Blogs are slow and may go down so check for freshness. Some blogs are found in search engine results and some blogs are not indexed anywhere.
www.daypop.com is a search engine for blogs, news sites and RSS feeds. It is updated several times a day, it gives blogstats, ranks top weblogs, provides top news and news bursts.
www.feedster.com searches RSS feeds and weblogs and offers continual updates.
www.waypath.com searches weblogs and searches by word or URL.
www.Bloogz.com searches weblogs and some news sites, sorts by relevance or date.
Issues of concern regarding blogs:
Blogs may not be updated
Many contain personal opinion
They are not edited
They are edited - old posts can be changed
While blogs are a “hot” technology they may only be useful for some fields, they are constantly changing, they consist of discussions and opinions.
Factiva Search Clinic – Nicole McCain, Factiva representative
Factiva.com provides information from Dow Jones
and Reuters. The site uses a search algorithm based upon searches of a
few keywords. Search professionals can read news about their
industry,
job function and regional peer groups, access news from recently
searched
companies and review market activity of recent company searches.
Features of Factiva.com include a toolbar that can be customized, an advanced search date option that allows date range searching and advanced search sources, which allow searching a number of sources at once.
Net Snippets Search Clinic – David Gray, Net Snippets
representative
Net Snippets facilitates post processing of
information. Data can be collected from any digital source and
from
any format. You can organize information, annotate it, refine it,
add metadata and organize it into a report. Net Snippets does not
use proprietary formats.
You can highlight and drag and drop information in the Net Snippets workspace. The workspace can be opened as a window, the snippet can be named and you can add comments and set an importance level. You can note your source, e.g., from a web site along with the URL and date and time the information was captured. The name and e-mail address of the person compiling the snippet can be added. You can also add your own keywords to the snippet.
Folders can be created for snippets. A bibliography can be created also. The information can be sent to others in a netsnippet or a zip file through e-mail.
Mary Ellen Bates owns Bates Information Services. She provides business services to business professionals and back-up research support to special libraries. She conducts workshops and seminars and she is an author. Her books include Super Searchers Cover the World and Building and Running a Successful Research Business: A Guide to the Independent Information Professional.
Adding Value with Post Processing – Mary Ellen Bates
Mary Ellen Bates discussed the presentation
of information to clients. She talked about why we care about
this
added value step in the information field, and she offered tips and
strategies
for post processing of information. She noted that information
professionals
need to “think different” about how information is offered to clients.
Mary Ellen noted the following points as to why we care:
We compete with Google
We compete with third-party research
We are one source among many
Perception overshadows content
How information is packaged influences the perception of the value
of what is provided to the person seeking the information from you as
an
information professional.
If information seekers don’t understand the value we add, that’s our problem. We have to change their perception.
Mary Ellen noted the following core competencies for
information
professionals:
Finding information efficiently
Evaluating information sources
Pulling together disparate content
Analyzing and summarizing information
Information professionals should know what an information seeker wants, why he or she wants it and in what context. It is also important to understand how the information seekers acquire information and what it looks like.
Tips and strategies to add value to your product:
Include charts, graphs and tables
Include information the information seeker doesn’t have such as public
records and invisible web content
Pull together the information you find in a visual way
Brand the information with your logo
Talk about what you found and where you found it, where you looked for information and also where you did not find results. This is an information topography report--what you found and what you found along the way that was interesting.
Try the following exercise – list articles that you have found during your research and annotate each one to see the value of each and where it belongs in what you are preparing for the information seeker.
Tara Calishain writes about the Internet. She wrote Official Netscape Guide to Internet Research and Google Hacks. Tara also writes an Internet search newsletter www.researchbuzz.com.
When Not to Use Google - Tara Calishain
Tara noted there are over 4 billion documents
on Google. According to Tara the good things about Google are
also
the bad things about Google. It has an extensive index, a variety
of search syntax and simplistic presentation.
With the extensive index there is too much information and therefore results for general queries are hard to find. Some searches can produce results that are full of spam or “inappropriate” results.
Solutions to the extensive index dilemma include: searchable subject indexes: www.directory.google.com. And there is also the Yahoo! Directory and the Open Directory Project – www.dmoz.org, which is updated more frequently than Google.
The search syntax problem - some syntax cannot be mixed, e.g., links, txt, html.
A solution to this problem may include using www.researchbuzz.org. The archive allows link mixing and multiple formats, i.e., html, txt. Also look at www.yahoo.com and www.gigablast.com, which present less syntax difficulties. Vivisimo http://vivisimo.com allows the searcher to cluster search results.
Simplistic presentation problems include not enough assistance with syntax issues and incomplete online help information.
Simplistic presentation solutions may include using www.soople.com, which offers a large number of Google interfaces for specialty searches. There is also FaganFinders Ultimate Google Interface, www.faganfinder.com/google.html, and www.noodletools.com/noodlequest, which offers non-Google search strategy solutions.
Tara offered the following web addresses to keep up with
Google
syntax:
www.researchbuzz.com, which is her site
www.resourceshelf.com, which is Gary Price’s site
http://google.blogspace.com
www.google.com/contact/newsletter.html
General search engines Tara mentioned are:
www.gigablast.com, which has over 300,000,000 pages
www.sootle.com
www.mooter.com
Meta-search engines:
www.zapmeta.com
www.mamma.com
www.metaeureka.com
Specialty engines:
www.feedster.com
www.technorati.com
www.rocketnews.com
Ran Hock is the owner of Online Strategies, which specializes in customized seminars providing information about effective Web use. He is the author of The Extreme Searchers Guide to Web Search Engines. Mr. Hock was a reference librarian at MIT and the University of Pennsylvania. He also held management and training positions at Knight-Ridder Information Services and Dialog.
Personalization Pros and Cons - Ran Hock
All web searches are personal.
Preferences,
such as selection of the language in which the site is written,
filtering
and number of results per page returned from your search, allow
personalization.
Personalization is also created through interest-based searches, e.g.,
you can create a profile on Google. There is also local
personalization.
A simple example is putting a zip code and the word “hardware” into a
Google
or Yahoo! search box in order to locate a hardware store within or near
the zip code area.
Web sites and the various features of those sites gather information from you as an active participant or passive participant on the site.
Personalization is found in:
Search engines
News sites
Shopping sites
Portals
Personalizable news sites
Newspapers, e.g., The Washington Post, allow you to personalize
the page based on your interests:
Headlines
Weather
Stock
Personalized shopping can be done at such as Yahoo! Shopping’s Smart Sort, Amazon’s personal account and www.A9.com, which is a combined Google and Amazon search.
Portals provide access to a large amount of resources on the World Wide Web. Personalizable portals provide immediate access in one place to information such as headlines, stock quotes and a personal calendar and notebook.
Portals may be general or subject/industry specific. General portals may serve as a “start page” and allow personalization of content, layout and color. Examples are: My Yahoo, My MSN, My Netscape. Features may include a “briefcase”, package tracker, address book, notepad, and calendar.
Personalization security issues include: privacy – read the privacy statements on the sites you use; common sense and caution – use both when deciding what personal information you provide and the level of comfort you have with providing the information; anonymity options – what choices does the site you are using offer? Think about setting up a number of accounts with limited identifying information. Lastly, how much do you care about what you put on the site? This will help you determine how much and what kind of information you are willing to reveal about yourself.
Marydee Ojala is editor of ONLINE magazine. She ran a business research company and administered research and information projects for BankAmerica Corporation.
Metasearch, Visualization and New Search Technologies - Marydee
Ojala
Metasearch engines allow you to search
multiple
search engines with one statement. This is not a new idea, Dialog
OneSearch used this concept. Examples of metasearch engines
are:
Vivisimo, Mamma, Dogpile, HotBot.
At times we think visually, in pictures, not just text. According to Marydee elements of visual search results may include pictures, images, photos, maps, graphs and charts, starbursts or some visual metaphor.
Search engines providing visual results include Yahoo, Google, AltaVista and Ditto.com. Factiva has news photos and ProQuest includes page images.
Image databases such as photo archives include:
www.corbis.com,
www.imageworks.com and www.freefoto.com. Auction sites such as
eBay and Yahoo also provide image databases as do museums. News
and
stock market information can be viewed visually by mapping the data.
Aerial photos may be used for competitive intelligence or general
curiosity.
Sites to consider are www.spaceimaging.com, www.noaa.org,
www.terrafly.com
and www.terraserver.com.
Limitations to visual searching are: copyright issues, incomplete data and currency.
Various ways of visualizing search results can be seen by the use of www.kartoo.com for map metaphors, www.grokker.com and www.anacubis.com for starburst metaphor and www.touchgraph.com for graphs.
Gary Price is a writer and library and
information
research consultant. He also was a reference librarian at George
Washington University, the Virginia campus.
Gary is the creator of Price’s List of Lists and
direct search, which is a list of invisible web databases. Both
lists
are web research tools. He is the editor of
www.resourceshelf.com,
which is a site updated daily with postings about news and resources
for
the online researcher. Mr. Price is coauthor with Chris Sherman
of
The Invisible Web.
Price’s Pearls - Gary Price
Gary’s presentation covered helpful and interesting
sites. A few of which are listed below. More information
about
Gary’s site and the presentations of May 11 and 12 are in the Websearch
University binder located at the reference desk.
Natural Language search engine: “smart answers” from Ask.com (the Ask Jeeves website). Smart answers from Ask.com are not just links to answers but answers, e.g., 1988 Academy Award winner – the answer is given at the top of the results page. It is not links to the answer.
Sites to help keep you current:
Page changes – www.websitewatcher.com or www.trackengine.com
News alerts – Yahoo and www.marketwatch.com
Specialty alerts – Pubcrawler http://pubcrawler.gen.tcd.ie/
for updates of PubMed
Argali www.argali.com searches numerous phone directories at one time. It is also a directory for e-mail addresses.
Faganfinder www.faganfinder.com has a translation wizard.
Mozilla www.mozilla.org, which includes Foxfire products,
offers
alternative browsers and toolbars.
Top
On April 1 I attended the “For Adults Only” information session about providing library programming for adults in the community. The session was held at the Hasbrouck Heights library.
Topics covered:
Types of programs
Types of audiences
Budget/Prices/Payment for programs
Leads/Ideas for finding/offering performers/programs
Advertising programs
Three types of programs:
Informational
Recreational
Cultural
Types of audiences:
Captive – Provide information sessions to young mothers who bring
children
in for story hour.
Cooperative – Attract club members by providing programs of interest to them, e.g., gardening program, which attracts garden club members
Targeted – Offer programs to audiences seeking specific information, e.g., AARP tax preparation, AAA safe driving programs
Budget/Prices/Payment:
The average budget for programming is $750 per year in BCCLS libraries
Look into grants
The New Jersey Council on the Humanities offers reasonably priced
programs
Leads/Ideas:
Teens teaching computer classes to senior citizens
NJ Shakespeare Theater – Next Stage Ensemble
NJ Romance Writers
Elizabeth Fabian at Random House (her listserv)
Bergen County Department of Cultural Affairs
Metro NJ Media Guide
Passaic County Cultural and Heritage Council at:
Passaic County Community College
1 College Blvd.
Paterson, NJ 07505
Advertising:
Local newspapers
The Star-Ledger
Free papers such as the Shoppers Guide
Top
Tentative date for implementation – June 2, 2004
Arlene Sahraie , Library Services Director of BCCLS, conducted a class introducing the new BCCLS LOAN interface, http://bergen.bccls.org/htbin/process1.com, that is part of the new Sirsi Workflows (Unicorn) System that replaces SmarTerm by next year. From June through December 2004 we will use the new loan interface but still charge out in “circle” until the new system takes effect. After December, the BCCLS LOAN program will be enhanced; the convenience afforded by the new system will be even better.
Ms. Sahraie took the class step-by-step through the program, including how to create a desktop shortcut for BCCLS LOAN (a shortcut has been set up on one of the computers in technical services). She encouraged staff to familiarize themselves with the new interface, including placing practice loans from Web2 with the caveat that we use the “secret button” provided so as not to bombard libraries with test loans. Attached is the BCCLS LOAN manual that illustrates and explains each step clearly.
BCCLS will announce when the new loan system is to begin. A
related
issue, a circulation survey will be sent out to all libraries; it needs
to be returned in a timely fashion to “Michael.”
Top
On April 30th, 2004, Carol Schneider-Linn and Dora Oliviero attended a meeting for independent Talk It Up! 2004 participants. Talk It Up! is a 6-week summer book discussion program for teens.
BCCLS’ Margaret Mellet lead the meeting, which encompassed the
logistics
of running a Talk It Up! Session. Topics of discussion included
icebreakers,
book discussions, group games, promotion of the program, attendance
sheets,
and book logs.
Top
On April 21, 2004, I went to the NJLA conference in Long Branch, New Jersey, and attended the following sessions: It takes a village to market your library; New Jersey digital highway; and Marylaine Block: Beyond the basics, interesting services offered on library web pages.
It takes a village to market your library
The speakers were: Mary Malagiere from the Ocean County Library System, Phil Israel from the Westfield Public Library and Lois Cuchinello, Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholder.
Ms. Malagiere began the session by speaking about the need for library programming efforts being creative and cooperative in order for them to be marketable. She additionally spoke of her library’s mission statement, which includes the goal of connecting people and building community. She spoke of the library as being perceived as a catalyst for growth and change.
Mary spoke about three programs in her library that fulfilled the library’s mission. The first program brought mothers and daughters into the library to meet Meg Cabot to talk about The Princess Diaries. Everyone was invited to wear a tiara. This program led to mother/daughter book clubs and helped to jumpstart a teen advisory board.
The second program offered at the library was a talk by Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, to attract the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population of the community. This was coordinated and funded through collaboration with gay and lesbian groups and colleges. The program was offered in an attempt to make the GLBT population aware of the resources available to them at that library and the library’s desire to present the library as a place where they are welcomed.
The third program mentioned was Meet the Mayor at the library. Residents could ask the mayor questions one-on-one about town services.
The next speaker was Phil Israel who spoke as a member of the Infolink marketing committee. He spoke about press releases and marketing resources on the Infolink website.
Phil mentioned that it would be a positive move for regions to send out press releases for specific offerings, e.g., databases offered by libraries that belong to Infolink or other consortia. He noted that next year an advocacy committee will be handling marketing issues for Infolink.
Lois Cuchinello, a Passaic County Freeholder, was the last speaker. She is from Hawthorne. Lois spoke about taking library needs to the public through the use of public town meetings.
Public officials and the public in general need to be aware that the library is not just books, but also a community center meeting the needs of the diverse groups within a community. The library provides activities and programs to meet the information and leisure needs of the community.
Lois suggested that a library liaison go to town meetings and school board meetings in order to keep the library visible to the public and public officials.
New Jersey digital highway
The speakers at the New Jersey Digital Highway presentation were Susan Kaplan, consultant, New Jersey State Library; Linda Langschied, Head, Scholarly Communication Center, Rutgers University Libraries; and Ruth Bogan, Head, Database and Cataloging, Rutgers University Libraries.
Ms. Kaplan stated that the statewide digitization project to create one website to “house” New Jersey historical and cultural heritage collections began in November 2003. Those involved in the project include libraries, museums, archives, historical societies, public broadcasting, and schools. The project currently has a three-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The immigrant experience in New Jersey is currently one of the areas being digitized.
One of the goals of the project is shared access of materials but local ownership. This goal allows project users to know which institution owns specific materials.
In May 2004 there should be an online directory of New Jersey’s digital collection and an online directory of resources.
The site will also provide a teachers’ portal and a students’ portal to lesson plans and activities. There will be an educators’ toolkit providing multimedia lesson plans for teachers. The students’ portal targeting middle and high school students will provide guides, templates for activities, e.g., documenting your family’s history; and an area for student journals related to immigration topics.
Linda Langschied explained that the project is a digital repository initiative and that the goal of the development of the infrastructure for the project is one of seamless integration with a standards-based system for ease of use. The site will also use non-proprietary tools to keep the portal affordable and independent of vendors.
FEDORA-Flexible Extensible Digital Object Repository
Architecture
is being used for integrity, flexibility and ease of use in terms of
adding
digitized objects to the site.
Open source programs are being used to provide the most flexibility
for the website. Linux is used for the operating system, Apache
is
used for the web server, and Fedora is used for object management.
Ruth Bogan spoke about metadata, i.e., any information needed to get data, move data, store data, and destroy data. Ruth used the analogy of a marc record in order to simply explain how to think about metadata.
To sum up the project: the New Jersey digital highway is a repository for storing and preserving information. Core standards for metadata will be used. Online cataloging forms will be created for non-catalogers to input information relevant to the site; and controlled vocabulary/subject terms are also being created for future use.
The site address is: www.njdigitalhighway.org
Marylaine Block’s Beyond the basics, interesting services offered on library web pages
Marylaine Block was a university librarian for 22 years. She is currently a writer, speaker and Internet trainer. She has written articles for Library Journal and American Libraries. Marylaine also writes the weekly e-zine ExLibris for the library community and has a website about new site announcements called Neat New Stuff http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html.
Marylaine went over a handout she provided that gives web addresses of sites she thinks of interest and well presented. They included the following areas: Blogs; Book Lists and Beyond; Tutorials; Services to Special Populations--Teens, Seniors, Latinos; New Site Announcements; Audio, Video and Photography Applications; Virtual Tours; Personalized Portals; Interactive Services; Library-Created Databases and Digital Text Collections; Educational Contributions; and Services to Other Librarians.
Some of the highlights Marylaine presented are:
Blogs
Waterboro Lib Blog http://www.waterborolibrary.org/blog.htm
Book lists and beyond
FictionLBooklists at Morton Grove Public Library http://www.webrary.org/rs/FLbklistmenu.html
Multnomah County Library Readers Connection http://www.multcolib.org/books/index.html
Tutorials
Library Web Manager’s Reference Center http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Web4Lib/RefCenter
Services to special populations
Kids - Colorado Virtual Library for Kids http://aclin.org
Teens - TeenLink: for Teen Readers, Writers and Dreamers - NYPL http://www2.nypl.org/home/branch/teen/index.cfm
Latinos - US Public Library Websites with Information in Spanish http://www.reforma.org/spanishwebsites.htm
New Site Announcements
ElDorado County Library’s What’s Hot on the Internet this
Week
http://www.eldoradolibrary.org/thisweek.htm
And Marylaine’s site Neat New Stuff http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html
Audio, Video and Photography Applications
UT Library Online - Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collectio
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/index.html
Virtual Tours
Cerritos Library
http://library.ci.cerritos.ca.us web cam library photos
Marylaine ran out of time therefore she was not able to cover all of
the areas on her handout. A copy of the handout will be at the
reference
desk if you are interested in looking at it.
Top
1. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Preserving NJ Government
Information.
Speakers: Susan Lyons, Rutgers Law Library-Newark, A. Hays
Butler, and Rutgers Law School-Camden
Government documents are created by many state and municipal
agencies.
New Jersey State government now publishes many government documents
directly
on the Internet. As librarians we are concerned for the long-term
availability of such documents. Without careful planning, much of
the digital information created today will be gone tomorrow. To
preserve
digital information over time, the information must be periodically
copied
or “refreshed.” After a period of three to five years, digital
information
must be transformed to work with newer software and hardware, otherwise
we cannot access the information. Digital documents may be less
expensive
to create, but are more expensive to maintain over time, given the
costs
of refreshing data.
The Documents Association of New Jersey Officers made following
recommendations
to state archives and state officials who are responsible for the
creation
and preservation of state government information:
Paper and microform are the only media proven to last for periods of
50 to 100 years and beyond. New Jersey should develop a plan to
preserve
government information from the point of its creation and throughout
its
life cycle. A central repository is needed to ensure permanent
access
to government publications, monographs, agency records and other
government
documents. The New Jersey State Library has taken a leadership
role
in providing Internet access to documents created by many state
agencies.
Additional funding and staffing are necessary for the State Library to
properly store valuable government information created in both
electronic
and printed formats.
2. Keynote Speaker: Carla Hayden, ALA President and Director,
Enoch
Pratt Library.
Ms. Hayden spoke about equity of access and how to expand library
access
during severe economic times. The need for Library Advocacy is
greater
than ever in this challenging time. There is a nationwide
increase
in public library usage, funding for our libraries is decreasing, and
in
some instances closing, reductions in service hours, decreased
materials
budgets, and staff layoffs. She also spoke about private
fundraising
and development (not to replace public dollars, but to expand
opportunities
and political advocacy.)
It is important to remember the internal efforts needed to promote
equity within the profession. American Library Association’s
initiative,
which awards $5,000 scholarships to minority and underrepresented
individuals
to enroll in graduate programs in library and information
science.
Ms. Hayden will continue to encourage those from all backgrounds to
join
librarians as we fight for every citizen’s right to information.
3. Beyond M/F: Thinking and taking action outside the boxes and
into
the stacks.
Speaker: Leslie Feinberg, author Stone Butch Blues, Transgender
Warriors,
and Trans Liberation.
Ms. Feinberg spoke feelingly of the core values of access, which are
so dear to librarians. The right of individuals to control their own
bodies.
The right to express their gender freely without facing harassment or
violence.
She identifies herself as a “masculine, lesbian, female-to-male cross
dresser
and trans-gendetist. She stresses the need for cooperation in the
trans-liberation movement. Ms. Feinberg’s writing is an extension
of her political arguments. According to Ms. Feinberg, multicultural is
under siege, college tuition is going up, university becomes a bigger
and
bigger corporation where library services are replaced by
bookstores.
She would like to talk to anyone about how to remove institutionalized
obstacles for trans-people.
Leslie Feinberg, activist and transgender author, agreed to “go public”
on the crisis in tran- health care. She hopes that public health
researchers, practitioners, and educators will respond to the urgency
of
the current situation and act before other lives are lost.
4. Researching New Jersey Library
Speakers: Chad Leinaweaver, New Jersey Historical Society; Deborah
Mercer, New Jersey State Library.
The New Jersey Historical Society is a statewide, non-profit historical
museum, library and archives. The Library collection contains
manuscripts,
reference books, rare books, photographs, maps, pamphlets, and other
materials
from the colonial era through the 20th century. Speakers of the
program
also mentioned top outside resources such as New Jersey State Library,
New Jersey State archives, Newark Public Library, New Jersey State
Museum
and the Newark Museum.
The research library at the New Jersey Historical Society is open to
the public from Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Please see the resource lists and handouts for more information.
Kiran B. Patel
5/6/04
Top
On Tuesday, April 20th, Jeanne Sylvester attended the annual
conference
of the New Jersey Library Association. This year the conference took
place
in Long Branch in the Ocean Place convention center, which had a
wonderful
view of the ocean. There were so many interesting workshops and other
opportunities
that there was no time to stroll the boardwalk and little time to
appreciate
the view.
In the morning I attended a workshop on antiques and collectibles
reference presented by The Camden County Library. They showed us some
antiques
and how they went about identifying them in related books. The showed
us
a variety of some of the most important and widely used books for
collectibles
reference and related websites. They also encouraged all libraries to
contact
the Camden County Library (the NJ Statewide Reference Center) and also
the Newark Public Library if librarians need further assistance in
identifying
patron’s objects.
The Keynote speaker was Tom Brown aka The Tracker. He has written
many books about wilderness survival and his experiences learning and
using
these skills. He also has a school in New Jersey where he teaches
wilderness
survival. His speech centered on his experiences growing up in the Pine
Barrens and his learning about nature and his developing awareness of
all
around him. He encouraged all librarians to use their role as an
educator
to help preserve nature by encouraging learning about nature’s
resources.
It was an inspiring and important speech.
The Alex Awards presentation introduced librarians to excellent
books written for adults that would appeal to teen readers. Deborah
Taylor
was past president of YALSA-the young adult section of the American
Library
Association and discussed some of the best of these books from
1998-2004.
Themes in adult books often appeal to teen readers such as teen
protagonists
or adventurous survival stories and this encourages teen readers to
“read
up”. I plan to use these lists to create booklists for the library.
The Garden State Book Awards luncheon was attended by hundreds
of librarians and honored the winners of children’s and young adult
books
that were voted on by New Jersey kids. The keynote speaker was
award-winning
author of children’s and young adult books, Jennifer Armstrong. Ms.
Armstrong
spoke about the appropriateness of “war stories” for children and made
excellent points about when and where children should read stories
about
war.
Marie Radford, acting Dean of the Pratt Institute, presented
positive Approaches to Problematic People. She discussed a variety of
patron
scenarios ranging from “annoying but harmless” to “dangerous” and how
we
should or could handle these situations. She emphasized our need to
remain
calm and “breathe” when dealing with angry and/or frustrated patrons,
instead
of rising to their anxiety level. There was a brief period to walk
through
the exhibit hall and visit the NJLA store for trinkets.
The final workshop “Scenario Building-The Basics” was
presented
by Stacey Aldrich of the Maryland Division of Library Development and
Services.
This was an active session involving lots of thinking out loud and
group
interaction. The goal was learning how to think about the future and
plan
accordingly. Many factors such as money, technology and staff will be
variables
to be considered when making long-term plans and goals.
I really enjoyed this year’s NJLA conference. There were many
interesting workshops with information and ideas that I can use in the
library and the facilities were pleasant.
Top
On Friday, April 16th, Jeanne Sylvester and
JoAnn Tropiano attended a workshop on Cascading Style Sheets at the
Westfield
Memorial Library. This workshop introduced the participants to a coding
language used to design web documents that is similar to HTML, but with
added features. At this hands-on workshop, we worked on Tablet-PC’s,
smaller
and lighter than laptops and fun to use. We first looked at inline
examples
(for one element), then to embedded (for element on the entire page)
then
to external (for entire document with links to another page) to refine
and design web documents.
Hands-on practice using these new codes let us enhance already existing
web documents and web sites.
This workshop can be useful when redesigning
a library’s website, for changing elements such as margins, backgrounds
and more instead of needing to redesign every page on the website.
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PRESENTERS: Michael Koehn, Conversion Specialist, BCCLS
Rich Neels, Library Specialist Computer Services, BCCLS
The purpose of the workshop was to provide BCCLS librarians and support staff with an understanding of the reports that BCCLS generates and the importance of BCCLS libraries to keep current with the lists as they are issued in order to:
· Maintain more accurate statistics;
· Display information accurately in Web 2;
· Facilitate better customer service.
Report maintenance is especially important now as BCCLS prepares to convert to the Sirsi Unicorn System, although report maintenance should be an ongoing job.
Attached is a comprehensive fact sheet detailing each report (with
samples),
and a complete listing of reports run by BCCLS (including reports run
by
special request.)
A complete overview of the session, including the Power Point
presentation,
is available at http://www.bccls.org/CDC/SpringCleaning
Kiran Patel
Trina Staropoli
April 13, 2004
On Monday March 29th, 2004 Saundra Miller and Jeanne Sylvester
attended the “Simple Book Repair Workshop”, sponsored by the Highlands
Regional Library Cooperative, held at the North Branch of the Hunterdon
County Library in Clinton New Jersey.
The presenter, Kim Avagliano, was expert at book repair and was
able to develop a basic program that included hands on experience that
attendees could easily bring back and incorporate in their libraries.
Participants
were also given a list of recommended materials, books, websites and
suppliers.
In this workshop we worked together to face some of the most common
situations involving book repair for libraries. We learned how to clean
paper from pencil, and crayon markings using different erasers and
other
tools. We also were shown how to repair ripped paper with certain tape
and glue. Corners, hinges and spines of books often need to be repaired
with glue and/or new fabric and we practiced all these methods with the
professional grade materials provided at the workshop.
Once we return to the library, certain materials and practices will
need to be added to repair library materials professionally so they can
continue to be used by the library community.
Robert White, executive director of BCCLS, is in the process of conducting meetings with BCCLS libraries to prepare library staff for the transition to the new Sirsi Workflows (Unicorn) System. Libraries represented at today’s meeting were Closter, Nutley, Old Tappan and West Caldwell.
Mr. White gave a brief overview of the nine-month changeover to the new system, including what is expected, what will change, and what BCCLS will do. The decision to go with Sirsi was based on cost savings, and its configuration that enables the public to continue using the interface they are already familiar with (there will be a minimal impact on the public, more of an impact on the staff).
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEETING:
· Transitioning to the new system, it is recommended that fines prior to January 1, 2001 be written off. No lost or missing items will be transferred to the new system.
· No “reserve holds” will be transferred to the new system (DRA reserves). BCCLS will print out the list of outstanding loans before the transition, approximately the second week in December.
· From the patron’s perspective, nothing will change when placing loans. Library staff will place requests in Web 2, and the processing of loans is through web application. Features will include loans arranged by patron barcode; highlighting of barcodes of patrons placing more than five requests a day; outgoing items listed with the status of “in transit” to monitor delivery time; and automatic email notification upon receipt and scanning of item.
· Gateway will be gone. Public access will be removed by July 1 and staff access by Sept. 1.
· Certain material codes will be eliminated, new ones added.
· On-the-fly does not exist in the new system and neither will the status “local request.”
· An index by telephone number and an index by email will be additional pluses (staff are therefore encouraged to get patron emails whenever possible).
· “Last patron lookup” will no longer be available because
the
ability to check for previous borrower is built into the Unicorn
system.
Mr. White approximates zero downtime in terms of circulation transition, and 7 to 10 day “blackout” periods in terms of linking and patron registration. There will be three training sequences:
· E-Loans in April and May (maximum 2 people from each
library);
· Circulation in September;
· Linking in October and November.
An informal survey of loan periods and fines was taken, but an official survey will be generated from BCCLS before the transition to the new system. Also mentioned was the importance of mouse skills in utilizing the new system.
Attached to this report is a handout provided by BCCLS “Getting Ready for Sirsi,” updated BCCLS staff contacts and downtime procedures, the miss-link report, and uncataloged items.
Ensuring Ready Reference Success, Reference Skills for Library Paraprofessionals/Library Assistants, a One Day Workshop - East Brunswick Public Library, 2/19/2004 - Trina Starapoli
Presented by Sue Kheel, Reference Services Manager at East Brunswick Public Library
I attended this workshop at the Clark Public Library and found it especially helpful. The workshop was for library assistants, which made it less intimidating for non-librarians like myself still struggling to understand reference and information services.
Highlights of the seminar included
· Professional deportment at the reference service desk;
· Verbal and non-verbal communication skills;
· Conducting a thorough reference interview;
· Identifying print and electronic ready reference materials.
Retired librarian Sue Kheel made an excellent presentation that included both lecture and class participation. Working together in groups of three gave all of us the opportunity to experience the reference interview as a patron, assistant, and observer. Constructive criticism from colleagues helped each of us focus on areas that needed improvement.
I’ve attached the materials provided to us at the workshop for review. In addition to an overview of the seminar, Infolink has included helpful “quick reference” tables that are invaluable to someone like myself learning reference.
Trina Staropoli
March 22, 2004
Top
I attended the New Jersey Statewide Summer Reading Workshop on
March 12, 2004. The workshop was held at the Clifton Public
Library.
There were many topics discussed regarding the children and YA summer
reading
themes. A few of the topics discussed were how to host
performers,
different types of book clubs (YA & Children etc.), and how to
decorate
your library depending on your budget. Finally, they discussed an
additional manual, which was just for New Jersey. The committee
felt
they should create a manual just for New Jersey, because the other
manual
is also a nationwide manual. The handouts that we were given of
performers,
authors and illustrators in New Jersey were especially helpful to
me.
The Meadowlands State Fair is supplying libraries throughout New Jersey
with complimentary admission passes for children and teens who register
for summer reading clubs.
Top
On Monday, March 8, 2004, I attended the NJ Summer Reading
Craft
Workshop. The workshop was held at the Monmouth County Library in
Manalapan. When I signed in I was given summer theme posters to
display
in our library. I attended the afternoon session from 2 to 4
p.m.
Kathy Ross who is an author of a variety of craft books presented the
workshop.
Ms. Ross presented different craft ideas pertaining to the summer
reading
theme, “Discover New Trails.” A few of the crafts were
hands-on.
Kathy Ross also gave us her web site, where she will be posting some of
her crafts that were shown at the workshop. (www.kathyross.com)
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"Creating a Virtual Library Tour" - Westfield Public Library, March 20, 2004 - Jeanne Sylvester
On Friday, February 13th, Jeanne Sylvester and JoAnn Tropiano
attended
a workshop at the Westfield Memorial Library sponsored by the Infolink
Library Consortium. The topic of this workshop was “ Creating A Virtual
Library Tour”. A virtual library tour is an online or computer based
photo
and text collage of a library and the services it provides.
At first, we were shown examples of virtual tours from libraries, with
a few images with descriptive text to tours containing moving images
and
sound added.
To host a library virtual tour is a wonderful and fun way for library
patrons to see the library and learn about its resources before coming
to the library. Factors that must be considered in its creations are:
permission
to have staff and patrons pictures posted online, length of tour and
ease
of use for viewing outside the library.
We were shown different ways of creating virtual library tours.
Using the Power Point Program and our digital camera seems to be the
most
appropriate way to create the Nutley Public Library’s Virtual Tour.
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STAFF MEETING, March 4, 2004 - STAFF ROOM - 3RD FLOOR
Type of Meeting: All Staff Facilitator: JoAnn Tropiano Note Taker: Rose Garten
Attendees: Jeanne Sylvester, Elvira D’Amico, Kiran Patel, Trina Staropoli, Carol Schneider-Linn, Jean Olney, Deborah D'Ambrosio, Dawn Patterson, Dora Oliviero, Saundra Miller
New Hires
…Camille Rosamilia has been hired as a part-time library
assistant.
Camille will start in April in the Children’s Room and will also be
trained
for the Circulation Desk.
…LorraineVan Dorn has been hired as a substitute library assistant.
…New Monitor, Sharon Kim, will start in March.
New Software
…Upgrades to Windows 2000 will start in March and are to be completed
by April.
…Gateway to disappear by September, 2004. Netcat will be replaced
by September, 2004.
…DRA is the current system used for automated circulation and
catalog.
The library will switch to Unicorn by the end of December, 2004.
Replacement/Upgrade of Staff Machines
…Upgrades to Circulation, Librarians’ Service Desk and Technical
Services/ILL Machines will be completed by the end of April.
BCCLS
will replace machines slower than 733 Mhz. The Board is replacing
all monitors with flat-panel monitors and upgrading the RAM to 512 MB.
BCCLS Training
…Training Session to be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, for the new
software, Unicorn.
Women’s History Month
…On Thursday, April 1, 2004, all Library Staff will work a schedule
of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Library will be closed to the public at
5:00
p.m.
Retirement Dinner
…The dinner for our retirees is scheduled for Wednesday, March 31,
2004, at Papillon Restaurant in Nutley at 6:00 p.m.
Nutley Library Cards for the Staff
…Retirees – Jean Roberts, Anita Prieto and Josephine LaMedica, who
are not Nutley residents, will be issued Courtesy Cards per the
Board.
New staff from BCCLS member towns will not be issued Nutley cards.
Practices
…Technical Office door is to be locked at all times. If you are a staff
member who needs a key and does not have one, let JoAnn know, and she
will
have more keys made. Keys are not to be kept in drawers.
Vacation Schedules
…Schedule is almost completed. Thanks from JoAnn to all the staff
for getting in schedules and working out the days with co-workers.
N.J.L.A. Conference
…Conference schedule is posted. JoAnn asked all staff to check
the schedule and to report back to her the programs they plan to
attend.
Library Week Plans
…Plans for children’s programs for week of April 18, 2004, have been
made. Press Releases are due to JoAnn by March 25, 2004.
Jersey Clicks
…Jersey Clicks is a state funded project. The Nutley Library is one
of seven test libraries. The feedback forms are an important part of
this
test so please send in the form to report changes that will facilitate
use of Jersey Clicks as often as you notice an improvement you would
like
to suggest. Use Jersey Clicks with the public as well, and please
encourage them to send feedback.
Open Discussion
…Request to have something put behind DVD binders to hold them on
shelves.
…Discussion on how long arrivals will be in the “New Arrivals” Binder.
Staff Information
…Education in Nutley, Newsletter of the Nutley Board of Education,
is displayed at the Circulation Desk.
…Jeanne Sylvester will assume responsibility for the circulation
statistics
reports.
…Reference Librarians will check into JerseyCat twice a day to process
loans.
Top
New Jersey Statewide Summer Reading Workshop– Millburn Public Library, March 5, 2004 – Carol Schneider-Linn
On March 5, 2004, Carol Schneider-Linn attended a workshop on the New Jersey Statewide Summer Reading Club 2004. The 2004 theme for the state is “Discover New Trails At Your Library”. The workshop encompassed several topics including tips for running successful book discussions, information to consider when hiring a performer, and examples that can be used to promote the summer reading program.
Each attendee of the workshop will be entered into a raffle. Winners of the raffle will receive state funding of approximately $250-$350 to hire a performer during the summer as long as they are using the statewide theme.
The State Fair Meadowlands is also willing supply NJ public
libraries
with complimentary admission passes for all children and teens who
register
for summer reading clubs. To participate, interested libraries
must
register by April 30th. The State Fair Meadowlands is at Giants
Stadium
from June 17th through July 5th.
Top
"Talk It Up" Meeting - New Milford Public Library, 2/13/2004 - Dora Oliviero
On Friday, February 13, 2004, I attended the YA Talk It Up meeting
with
Carol Schneider-Linn, held at the New Milford Public Library. The
first half of the meeting was explaining the program, Talk It Up.
Talk It Up is a six-week book discussion program for teens entering
grades
7-9. The program will begin the week of July 12th and will end
the
week of August 16th. The group will meet one evening per
week.
For the teens that register and attend 4 out of 6 book discussions will
be able to participate in a wrap-up party. The wrap-up party will
be held at the end of the program and is sponsored by BCCLS. Our
responsibilities will consist of coordinating the program registration,
taking attendance, collecting and distributing the books to the
participants,
publicizing the program and providing refreshments. BCCLS will
provide
the program discussion for each book chosen.
The second half of the meeting Margaret discussed what is going
to be new for 2004. The teens web page on the BCCLS web site has
been redesigned and will be up on the BCCLS web site Wednesday,
February
18, 2004. “Shush” is an online book discussion for teens.
Each
month Young Adults will be given a new title to read. On the
second
Tuesday of each month BCCLS will host an online forum for YA librarians
to share ideas about books, programming and etc….
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" Teen Talk" Informational Meeting – New Milford Public Library, 2/13/2004 – Carol Schneider-Linn
On February 13, 2004, Carol Schneider-Linn and Dora Oliviero attended the Teen Talk Informational Meeting. Margaret Mellett of BCCLS discussed “Talk It Up”, which is a 6-week summer book discussion program for teens. BCCLS libraries can apply to act as host libraries of this event or they can participate independently. Host libraries pay a fee of $350 and the book discussions are lead by BCCLS staff while independent libraries do not pay a fee to participate.
The teens page on the BCCLS website is being redesigned and it will go live February 18, 2004. Online, moderated book discussions for teens will be a feature of the site.
BCCLS is also hosting an online forum (live chat) for YA librarians
the second Tuesday of each month. Margaret is willing to lead a
book
discussion of The Body of Christopher Creed (OBNJ) at BCCLS libraries.
Top
At this workshop, participants were encouraged to share their
successes
and difficulties in leading a book group.
Topics covered:
Several book leaders suggested following titles of good books for
discussion:
Interpreter of Maladies – Jhumpa Lumpari. Collection of short
stories, all of which are about Indian sub-continent or Indians in
other
places.
The Giver –Lois Lowry. Young Adult book but very deep.
Adults find many more layers and symbols in it. The ending
provides
a great discussion point.
Black Dog of Fate: A Memoir – Peter Balakian. Map of Armenia
from 500 BC to present on endpapers.
The Sweet Hereafter – Russell Banks. A novel about New York State
school bus accidents and community life.
Samurai’s garden-Gail Tsukuyama. Moving novel about goodness
and beauty.
The Reader-Bernard Schlink. Post-Holocaust German novel.
The Good Mother-Sue Miller. Her first novel is so emotionally
true and cleanly written.
The Kite Runner-Khaled Hosseini. Novel about Afghanistan.
It seems like everybody is reading these days. Reading a book
is a personal experience. Books open a portal to people and give
them passionate hour-long conversation, not only about the book but
also
about each other. It also leads people down roads of
entertainment.
Sometimes people who are in book clubs do not really read. It was
just an excuse for a social occasion.
Ideas for choosing Books for good book discussions:
First of all, check to see that there are enough of the books from
your list in the BCCLS system, or that they are available in different
formats. If you decide to purchase the copies of your titles,
check
to see that they are available in paperback editions.
Young adults groups can come up with their own titles for book
discussion.
The leader can make the choice based on a librarian recommendations and
availability. Hear from patron/customer comments and
recommendations.
Use favorite authors. Group members can take turns choosing
books.
Have a sub-committee choose the books. Every now and then the
leader
can insert books that widen a group’s horizons. Have adults or
children
bring three favorite titles to the first meeting.
Children’s book groups:
For mother-son groups, father-daughter groups, librarian can choose
titles from NJLA Book Awards list. Give a book talk, book pages,
and members can also choose from those titles. Beth Gallaway,
Young
Adult Librarian at the Haverhill (MA) Public Library runs the “Pizza
and
Pages” book discussion group. Her teen events often include a
raffle.
Questions and Answers:
Should groups have “ground rules”? If so, what rules?
It is helpful to have guidelines. These can be formal or informal
and such “rules” could be open-minded, so you can refer to them when
problems
occur. Members should have a commitment to the group – commit to read
the
book and attend group meetings for 3 months, 6 months, 9 months?
What can you do if people complain that they hate the book?
Come prepared with reviews. Have questions prepared. Give
reviews and discussion questions ahead of time. Ask, “Why do you
hate it?” Clarify response; try to generate more insights and
questions.
Ask, “Would you rewrite this book?”
How can I insure a good discussion?
Give a review of the book and discussion questions ahead of time.
Come prepared with discussion questions. E-mail questions a week
before the meeting. Listen to the aspects of the book member’s
talk
about in the first go-around and take notes. Use notes for
discussion
later. Listen more than a talk. Maintain eye contact.
Help a person to clarify their thoughts to the rest of the group.
Pull it together. Host the discussion like a party. Focus,
concentrate, and maintain non-judgmental.
How do you kick off a discussion?
Ask everyone to go around the table and say ______________(what they
found most interesting about the book, what character they identified
with,
etc.) Ask to list positive and negative aspects.
Start with a good question. The study questions make wonderful
discussion for group. Summarize and use ideas members come up
with
for discussion purposes. “What’s one adjective you’d use to
summarize
this book?” “Name one character or describe one character that you
liked”.
How do you deal with people who don’t read the book?
There were different schools of thought on this. Most groups
allow and encourage people to attend whether or not they have finished
the book.
How do you get people to lead?
You cannot always. What you can do is offer to help finding
criticism
and reviews. Check Novelist, Goggle and Gale Literature center for more
information about the book.
What do you do with someone who monopolizes the group?
Summarize what he/she is saying to show that you hear then quickly
move to someone else. “So what you’re saying is_________.
Okay,
Joan, what do you think?” “I think _______has a very good point
and
let’s hear what_____ has to say”.
What do you do with someone who doesn’t talk?
Encourage him/her, but not obviously. “Let ‘s hear from some
other group members. ____________, What do you think?” Keep
others from interrupting.
How do you handle judgmental people?
This is when it’s helpful to have ground rules. Say, “remember
there are no right or wrong ways of looking at things…”
“Let’s not use labels. _______is saying this, and you see things
differently.
Let’s look at the issues here.”
How do you handle the person who wants to use the group for therapy?
Listen once. Summarize. Keep bringing the discussion back
to the book. When this person isn’t getting what he/she wants
(usually
sympathy) they usually leave. If they don’t, you might want to
suggest
to them after the meeting to see a therapist.
How do you keep the discussion on track?
Remind members why they’re here for. “It’s fun talking about
the Golden Globe Awards, but we only have a half hour more to talk
about
this book.” Since we’ve all spent time reading this book, let’s
talk
about it.
How do you deal with side conversations?
Serve food at the very beginning or very end, and confine socializing
to those time slots. Say, “We can’t
hear____________.”
“Let’s just have one discussion.” “I think_________has a very
good
point and you all need to hear this.” “That’s a good point worth
further discussion. Let’s come back to that.” Write down
the
points. “Excuse me!” Have a pre-arranged
rescuer.
(Hand-signal or some kind of signs)
Say big “HELLOOO!”
Key points:
We are all taught to be polite. Having manners means that you
wait until someone else is done speaking before you speak. It
doesn’t
feel good to interrupt and cut someone off.
Remember,
the group goal takes priority over individual needs. The process
has to run smoothly for everyone.
Can you kick someone out of the group? How?
Obliviously, this is tricky. Sometimes, however, a person is
destructive to the group process, and none of the above techniques
work.
The leader may have to ask them to leave. To do this, use “I “
messages
and describe behaviors; “I’ve noticed that when
you________it____________.”
(Effect on the group). It’s hurting the group….
How do you keep a group viable-exciting at first, then middle-aged?
Groups often go through a 3-year cycle. Encourage people to come
or come back if they haven’t attended for several months.
Personal
attention, e-mails, phone calls, help.
Charge your own batteries as a leader. Seek new members to
augment
the failing group.
Invite guest speakers, authors and also check One Book New Jersey web
site for more ideas.
Please see attached materials for more information.
Kiran B. Patel
2/17/2004
I attended an informative “Digital cameras and Photography” workshop at the Old Bridge Library on January 22, 2004. This course included information on how to get free software for digital photos, i.e. Adobe filters, which can help you load digital photos onto your PC. It also covered digital camera and printer basics.
I learned a lot in this class. We were told that the optical zoom is the most important on a digital camera.. We were also shown how to use software to change photos. These hints will prove to be real timesavers, since most digital camera owners spend hours playing on the computer before they are able to master these skills. I also learned that a slave flash gives more feet on your flash and are great for dark rooms. In addition, the class was told about all the available free software. I have enclosed a flyer listing websites offering free software.
This class was most enjoyable. I learned about filters and where to get them (free is always good). This workshop would help anyone who is interested in leaning how to use a digital camera and put pictures on the web.
On January 21st 2004 I attended the Digital Photography
workshop
sponsored by Infolink at the Millburn Public Library. This seminar was
an introduction to digital photography, its uses for the library,
equipment
needed, common terms used, and its benefits over traditional film
photography.
The presenter, Gregory Ross, has been using this new medium for years
and
currently works at a Wal-Mart photo lab as well as doing free-lance
photography.
He also showed the group various ways to manipulate our digital images,
from free software available through the Internet as well as premium
programs
that require a fee. Steve Garwood from Infolink brought in a few
different
digital cameras for librarians to have hands on experience working with
this new technology.
This was an excellent introduction to the popular medium of
digital
photography. It has wide potential for use in public libraries in
creation
of flyers, newsletters and developing web pages. Resource lists and
handouts
will further assist attendees when exploring the new medium at the
library
as well as at home. Further details are available on the Infolink web
site.