Friday, January 30, 2009

Alternative to Rosetta Stone

There are several alternatives to Rosetta Stone - some are not as detailed and thorough but at least offer language assistance.

One resource to check is Annenberg Media - the registration is free and Spanish and French are both available.

Check it out!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Recycle Info for Computer Equipment

State law requires manufacturers which offer for sale, or sell new, computer equipment in or into Texas to offer consumers a free recycling program and be on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) list of computer-equipment manufacturers. As of September 1, 2008, the manufacturers offer a recycling program – free of charge at the time of recycling - to collect and recycle consumers' used computer equipment. You can find the full list and more information at www.texasrecyclescomputers.org.

NTRLS Award Nominations Now Being Accepted

Hi.

North Texas Library Partners, home of the North Texas Regional Library System, is currently accepting award nominations for the award ceremony to be held at the May System Assembly meeting. The Awards committee has changed some awards this year and added new requirements for submissions. Please check our website for more information.

One new requirement is the submission of a video along with the written application. Please do not let this intimidate you from making a nomination. The System staff is available to assist you with the videos. We have some video cameras available for checkout, which are very simple to use. You do not even have to worry about editing the video as we can do that here at the System office.

The Awards Committee will show these videos at the awards ceremony. It is a way to bring even more recognition to the nominees, who all deserve it.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Highsmith Award Opportunity

Could your library use some extra dollars? ? ? ? ? ?

Has your library recently implemented a program to enhance the library’s visibility within your service community?

If you answered YES to these questions, your library could be the next recipient of the
HIGHSMITH LIBRARY AWARD!

Each year, Highsmith recognizes libraries for the implementation of outstanding, creative marketing or promotion projects.

Two $1,000 awards are available each year, one for a school library and one for all other library types (e.g., public, academic, special, etc.).

Application forms and more information are available online at:
http://www.txla.org/html/awards/high.html

The deadline for submitting applications is: January 31, 2009.

Questions? Contact Elizabeth Polk at epolk@austinisd.org or 512-414-4939.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

In case you missed the NPR Library discussion!

The Diane Rehm show discussed the role of libraries in the current economic crisis.

What surprised me most was how little people understand what libraries really do - we are underestimated and unsupported. It seemed unknown to some that libraries offer movies, programming, coffee shops, tutoring, etc....

This just demonstrates that we are not selling what we do - recently overheard at a family meal "aren't all libraries empty any how? who goes to a library?" This from my own family - trust me - they won't make that mistake again!