Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Web 2.1 - Site of the Week

Name: Book Glutton
URL: http://www.bookglutton.com/

NTRLS Technology Consultant Judy Daniluk referred me to this site. It is a really neat site that allows people to create, or join, an online book club. What makes this site different than other online book clubs is that you read the book online with your other book club members. The online reader is actually quite good. Through the reader, you can schedule times to chat about the book and even make annotations as you read the book to share with your other book club members. Authors might find it a great tool as you can upload your own work and then make it available to everyone to read. The site states that your copyright will be protected, but the books will be publicly available on the site so keep that in mind before you upload your masterpiece. I personally do not see myself using this site very much as I still like the feel of a book in my hands. If you don't mind reading material on the computer, this is a great social networking site for book lovers.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Web 2.1 - Site of the Week

Site Name: Clickcaster
URL: http://www.clickcaster.com/

NTRLS uses Clickcaster to store its podcast series Librairan Live. When we first started on this site, it was geared towards the public with consumer type devices like sharing of podcasts and the ability to create profiles to social network with others. Well, this didn't last. The website was sold to another company who turned it into a business website where organizations can sign up to create, store and publish their podcasts. You can even embed the episodes on your website. Neat site if you like to podcast. You can get a basic free package, but we discovered this was not enough space for our weekly podcast so we have a general membership. Very reasonable.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Web 2.1 - Site of the Week

Name: Myxer
URL: http://www.myxer.com/

This site allows you to create, upload and share original ringtones. I used it to create a ringtone for my phone using public domain music. You can also use copyrighted material to create a ringtone, but I cannot encourage this practice as it is illegal. If you want to create original ringtones, you can do it here through the web browser with no additional software. You upload the audio file to their servers, cut out about 30 seconds of it for a ringtone and then send a text message to your phone. This text message will include directions on what to do to get the ringtone on your phone. Be forewarned, you will be charged for the text message and the data download unless you have an unlimited plan.

You can also sell ringtones at Myxer so if you are looking for an interesting fundraising idea, why not sell ringtones.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Web 2.1 - Site of the Week

Site Name: Meebo
URL: http://www.meebo.com/

Instant Messaging has become an accepted way to communicate for all of us (not just those born after 1994) Meebo is a way for us to IM each other without having to worry about proprietary software. You can IM through a variety of IM services including Yahoo, AOL, Google and MSN. You can do all of this through a web browser. Very slick...

If you develop websites, you might want to also check out the Meebo me widget. A widget is a small application that you can place on your website by copying generated code from the widget producer. Meebo has created one for IMing. You can place the Meebo Me widget on your website and have people IM you through your website. It is an inexpensive way to provide virtual reference.

A Library Programming Challenge

Watch the news! Check out the community blogs! Look at the local newspaper!

Find out the "news" for your community and plan programming for those topics. I often hear that people do not attend adult programming, and honestly, they don't - unless the topic is very important in their life.

One idea that came to my mind this morning as I read the newspaper, yes actually a print newspaper, was "staging your home to sell." The real estate market is tough and many in your area are probably trying to sell their home. There is a great article about staging that could be used to create the program or contact a local agent and see if they will present for you.

Friday, May 02, 2008

ALA Announces Outreach Grant Program

American Library Association Announces Outreach Grant Program for Federal Writers' Project Documentary

http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=212100018

Deadline: July 11, 2008

The American Library Association, in partnership with Spark Media, a Washington, D.C.-based production and outreach company, has announced an innovative library outreach program to enhance and increase the nationwide impact of Spark Media's documentary film, "Soul of a People: Voices from the Writers' Project." Major funding for the program has been provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The film and library outreach program is designed to acquaint public, academic and special library audiences with the story of the largest cultural experiment in U.S. history — the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration — told against the backdrop of the Depression and 1930s America.

Following an application process, 30 libraries will be selected to each receive a $2,500 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to present five different public outreach programs during the period of the national broadcast of "Soul of a People" in the Spring of 2009.

The grants will be used for scholar honoraria, book purchases, publicity and other program-associated costs. Libraries will be asked to enlist from a local college or university a lead project scholar with expertise in American history, the WPA and/or the WPA era to help present and plan programs, ensure that program content conveys intended humanities themes, and work with local media and other partners in planning.

Librarians applying for "Soul of a People" grants must register their institution at Grants.gov. Prospective applicants are advised to register with Grants.gov as soon as possible, since the process can take up to two weeks to complete.

The application and guidelines for "Soul of a People" and complete instructions for registering and applying through Grants.gov may be found at the ALA Web site.

Contact:Link to Complete RFP