Teaching kids to read from the back of a burro - CNN.com: "Magdalena, Colombia (CNN) -- To the unaccustomed eye, a man toting 120 books while riding a stubborn donkey would seem nothing short of a circus spectacle. But for hundreds of children in the rural villages of Colombia, Luis Soriano is far from a clown. He is a man with a mission to save rural children from illiteracy.
'There was a time when many people thought that I was going crazy,' said Soriano, a native of La Gloria, Colombia. 'They'd yell, 'Carnival season is over.' ... Now I've overcome that.'"
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A $3.5 Billion Effort Aims to Help Tech Start-Ups
February 24, 2010, 5:22 am
Technologists have been worrying aloud for years that America is losing its competitive edge as other countries invest more heavily in technology education and innovation.
To counter that trend, Intel and 24 venture capital firms said Tuesday that they planned to invest $3.5 billion in American start-ups over the next two years, The New York Times’s Claire Cain Miller reported.
In addition, Intel, Google, Cisco Systems, Microsoft and 13 other employers pledged to add jobs in 2010 — specifically by hiring 10,500 graduates of American colleges, largely those with computer science and engineering degrees.
The initiative, called the Invest in America Alliance, is spearheaded by Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, and was announced on Tuesday by the company’s chief executive, Paul S. Otellini, in a speech at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
“Unfortunately, long-term investments in education, research, digital technology and human capital have been steadily declining in the U.S.,” Mr. Otellini said, according to a transcript of the speech. “So, too, has the commitment to policies that made us such an entrepreneurial powerhouse for more than a century.”
Sure would be great for librarians to reach out to advanced technology training and ummmmmmmmm get some of these bucks!
Technologists have been worrying aloud for years that America is losing its competitive edge as other countries invest more heavily in technology education and innovation.
To counter that trend, Intel and 24 venture capital firms said Tuesday that they planned to invest $3.5 billion in American start-ups over the next two years, The New York Times’s Claire Cain Miller reported.
In addition, Intel, Google, Cisco Systems, Microsoft and 13 other employers pledged to add jobs in 2010 — specifically by hiring 10,500 graduates of American colleges, largely those with computer science and engineering degrees.
The initiative, called the Invest in America Alliance, is spearheaded by Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, and was announced on Tuesday by the company’s chief executive, Paul S. Otellini, in a speech at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
“Unfortunately, long-term investments in education, research, digital technology and human capital have been steadily declining in the U.S.,” Mr. Otellini said, according to a transcript of the speech. “So, too, has the commitment to policies that made us such an entrepreneurial powerhouse for more than a century.”
Sure would be great for librarians to reach out to advanced technology training and ummmmmmmmm get some of these bucks!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Don't Touch That Dial!
A history of media technology scares, from the printing press to Facebook.
By Vaughan Bell
Posted Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, at 7:00 AM ET Slate
A respected Swiss scientist, Conrad Gessner, might have been the first to raise the alarm about the effects of information overload. In a landmark book, he described how the modern world overwhelmed people with data and that this overabundance was both "confusing and harmful" to the mind. The media now echo his concerns with reports on the unprecedented risks of living in an "always on" digital environment. It's worth noting that Gessner, for his part, never once used e-mail and was completely ignorant about computers. That's not because he was a technophobe but because he died in 1565. His warnings referred to the seemingly unmanageable flood of information unleashed by the printing press.
For complete story
A history of media technology scares, from the printing press to Facebook.
By Vaughan Bell
Posted Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, at 7:00 AM ET Slate
A respected Swiss scientist, Conrad Gessner, might have been the first to raise the alarm about the effects of information overload. In a landmark book, he described how the modern world overwhelmed people with data and that this overabundance was both "confusing and harmful" to the mind. The media now echo his concerns with reports on the unprecedented risks of living in an "always on" digital environment. It's worth noting that Gessner, for his part, never once used e-mail and was completely ignorant about computers. That's not because he was a technophobe but because he died in 1565. His warnings referred to the seemingly unmanageable flood of information unleashed by the printing press.
For complete story
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
After Frustrations in Second Life, Colleges Look to New Virtual Worlds - Technology - The Chronicle of Higher Education
After Frustrations in Second Life, Colleges Look to New Virtual Worlds - Technology - The Chronicle of Higher Education: "After Frustrations in Second Life, Colleges Look to New Virtual Worlds
The hype is gone, but not the interest, and professors think some emerging projects may have instructional staying power"
I sure remember when I went to library conferences and every other session was on Second Life. I must admit I created my avatar - tried walking around a few times and just got frustrated and quit.
The hype is gone, but not the interest, and professors think some emerging projects may have instructional staying power"
I sure remember when I went to library conferences and every other session was on Second Life. I must admit I created my avatar - tried walking around a few times and just got frustrated and quit.
Just What Do Your Library Users Want??
Just ask them..........check out this web tool to help you ask your community what they would like you to provide...
IdeaScale
From their webpage:IdeaScale is a hosted, turn key solution for collecting ideas - no servers and software to install. Get up and running in minutes by answering a few basic questions.
IdeaScale empowers communities to drive innovation.
Collect ideas from your customers, give them a platform to vote, the most important ideas bubble to the top.
IdeaScale
From their webpage:IdeaScale is a hosted, turn key solution for collecting ideas - no servers and software to install. Get up and running in minutes by answering a few basic questions.
IdeaScale empowers communities to drive innovation.
Collect ideas from your customers, give them a platform to vote, the most important ideas bubble to the top.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Supporters Conference & Kick-Off Event POSTPONED!!!
Due to inclement weather, numerous registration cancellations and the possibility that the flight of one of our key speakers will be cancelled, we have determined that it is best to postpone the Library Supporters Conference and Kick-Off from tomorrow and Saturday to a Friday evening and Saturday in the summer. The sessions and speakers should not change; only the dates are changing. We will post the new dates as soon as we can get them confirmed.
Everyone registered as an attendee or exhibitor will automatically by registered for the new dates, and payments will be honored as if they were made for the new date. If, when the new dates are posted, you need to cancel your registration for either the kick-off event or the conference itself - or both - we will honor our usual conference cancellation policy:
- cancellation up to 3 business days in advance: 100% refund
- cancellation up to 24 hours before the beginning of the conference: 50% refund
- after that, no refunds
To request a refund, contact Elizabeth at the System Office. If you prefer to have your payment applied to another conference, contact dona at the System Office.
We want to be sure we reach everyone as soon as possible so, if you know of others who were planning to attend either or both events, please help us by assuring that they know about the cancellation.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause anyone.
Everyone registered as an attendee or exhibitor will automatically by registered for the new dates, and payments will be honored as if they were made for the new date. If, when the new dates are posted, you need to cancel your registration for either the kick-off event or the conference itself - or both - we will honor our usual conference cancellation policy:
- cancellation up to 3 business days in advance: 100% refund
- cancellation up to 24 hours before the beginning of the conference: 50% refund
- after that, no refunds
To request a refund, contact Elizabeth at the System Office. If you prefer to have your payment applied to another conference, contact dona at the System Office.
We want to be sure we reach everyone as soon as possible so, if you know of others who were planning to attend either or both events, please help us by assuring that they know about the cancellation.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause anyone.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Be a member of North Texas Regional Library System
Yay! Finally! Membership is now open for academic, school, government and special libraries to the North Texas Regional Library System through TSLAC. Why be a member? You have a voice at the table - be a part of planning continuing education, have NTRLS staff help with consulting, be a part of consortium pricing in some cases. There is no fee to be a member but you must fill out the application listed on the TSLAC webpage.
For accreditation rules for academic, school, research or special, and governmental libraries, see 13 Texas Administrative Code 1.86. Libraries applying for membership must agree to loan materials without charge to users of other libraries in the system. These standards apply only to libraries that are operated by a public school district, institution of higher education, unit of local, state, or federal government, accredited non-public elementary or secondary schools, or special or research libraries.
Privacy Doesn't Just Mean Secrecy
In a recent article for ReadWriteWeb.com, Marshall Kirkpatrick wrote about the changes in privacy on Facebook. In this article, they write the following about the views of Chris Peterson and his draft thesis Saving Face: The Privacy Architecture of Facebook.
We spend a lot of time discussing patron privacy in the library profession. But, like Facebook, we presume that privacy is the same as secrecy. Privacy has the additional component of respect. Patrons discuss their problems with us at the reference desk, with no closed doors to insure secrecy. Yet the expectation of privacy remains. When people use a library, they have an underlying expectation that everyone, not only the library staff, will respect their privacy. This means it is not enough for us to keep records secret. We must also remind people to be considerate and model that behavior ourselves.
Peterson argues that the idea that anything published ought to be understood as intended for public distribution is an antiquated understanding from the era when publishing was expensive and required a lot of effort. The opposite is true today, it's free and easy to publish - so information at different levels of appropriateness for public eyes is being published. Why not support that?
Instead of what Facebook is doing, Peterson says that a more appropriate understanding of privacy today is based on context. We expect our communication to go on in an appropriate context (no drinking in church or praying in the bar) and we expect to understand how our communication will be distributed.
If a college friend took photos of you drinking in a bar and showed them off to people in church, you might feel your privacy has been violated in both appropriateness and distribution. The bar is a public place, though, and not completely secret. Thus the need for a more sophisticated understanding of privacy that is more than mere secrecy.
We spend a lot of time discussing patron privacy in the library profession. But, like Facebook, we presume that privacy is the same as secrecy. Privacy has the additional component of respect. Patrons discuss their problems with us at the reference desk, with no closed doors to insure secrecy. Yet the expectation of privacy remains. When people use a library, they have an underlying expectation that everyone, not only the library staff, will respect their privacy. This means it is not enough for us to keep records secret. We must also remind people to be considerate and model that behavior ourselves.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
The iPhone App Proloquo2go
An online article from ABC news today touted yet another accessibility tool.
The feature describes how an 8-year-old who has a developmental disorder which affects communication and social interaction has begun to communicate and interact socially through the use of a special iPhone app. That app, Proloquo2go, is described as "the best-selling medical and educational app of 2009."
Although few libraries may purchase the iPhone and app for use by the public, reference librarians may want to know about this tool in order to provide information to speech language pathologists, parents and anyone with communication limitations.
The feature describes how an 8-year-old who has a developmental disorder which affects communication and social interaction has begun to communicate and interact socially through the use of a special iPhone app. That app, Proloquo2go, is described as "the best-selling medical and educational app of 2009."
Although few libraries may purchase the iPhone and app for use by the public, reference librarians may want to know about this tool in order to provide information to speech language pathologists, parents and anyone with communication limitations.
Monday, February 08, 2010
The DOJ and ADA Mandate Ebook Readers Be Accessible to All
The DOJ and ADA Mandate Ebook Readers Be Accessible to All: "The DOJ and ADA Mandate Ebook Readers Be Accessible to All
by Nancy Herther
Posted On January 25, 2010
Ebook reader makers received a major reality check earlier this month when, after investigating charges of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) violations, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced settlements with four major universities that had been part of the Kindle DX project to test the devices in real-life classroom settings."
by Nancy Herther
Posted On January 25, 2010
Ebook reader makers received a major reality check earlier this month when, after investigating charges of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) violations, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced settlements with four major universities that had been part of the Kindle DX project to test the devices in real-life classroom settings."
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Blogging is for Old People, Pew Report Finds
Blogging is for Old People, Pew Report Finds Benny Evangelista, Chronicle Staff Writer Thursday, February 4, 2010
Teenagers and young adults spent less time blogging during the past three years as social networks like Facebook became more popular, according to a Pew Research Center study released Wednesday.
Still, one social network, Twitter, has failed to catch on with the vast majority of younger teenagers, according to the Pew study of social media and mobile Internet use among teens and young adults.
The study conducted by the Washington, D.C., nonprofit think tank was designed to gauge the online habits of America's "millennial generation,"
a demographic group that is considered a bellwether of the nation's future technology trends.
The results indicate blogging has become so 2006, when 28 percent of the two groups studied, teens 12 to 17 and young adults 18 to 29, actively blogged.
By the fall of 2009, that percentage dropped off to only 14 percent of teens and 15 percent of young adults as blogging "lost its luster for many young users," said Amanda Lenhart, one of the report's authors.
---------------------------
Pew Internet
Social Media and Young Adults
Summary of Findings
Teenagers and young adults spent less time blogging during the past three years as social networks like Facebook became more popular, according to a Pew Research Center study released Wednesday.
Still, one social network, Twitter, has failed to catch on with the vast majority of younger teenagers, according to the Pew study of social media and mobile Internet use among teens and young adults.
The study conducted by the Washington, D.C., nonprofit think tank was designed to gauge the online habits of America's "millennial generation,"
a demographic group that is considered a bellwether of the nation's future technology trends.
The results indicate blogging has become so 2006, when 28 percent of the two groups studied, teens 12 to 17 and young adults 18 to 29, actively blogged.
By the fall of 2009, that percentage dropped off to only 14 percent of teens and 15 percent of young adults as blogging "lost its luster for many young users," said Amanda Lenhart, one of the report's authors.
---------------------------
Pew Internet
Social Media and Young Adults
Summary of Findings
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
One of a Kind Conference for Library Supporters
The Future of Libraries
The 2nd annual North Texas Conference for Library Supporters will take place Saturday, February 13, 2010 in southwest Fort Worth.
Fee: $20 after January 25 or at the door
Lunch will be provided for all paid, registered participants.
Designed for
• Members of Library Boards, Friends of the Library and Library Foundations
• Library Volunteers and Other Supporters
• Library Staff Who Work with Any of the Above
The event will include
• Training Sessions
• Table Discussions
• Dedicated Time to Visit with Exhibitors
• Dedicated Time to Visit Supporters Groups’ Displays
• Time for Networking with Peers, and
• Lunch and Refreshments!
In Addition, free exhibit space will be available to any library support group interested in
• Promoting their events
• Sharing their ideas
• Bragging on their successes, and/or
• Selling whatever products or services they use in fundraising.
To request display/sales space for your library support group, complete the sign-up form.
Register at the NTRLS.org Continuing Education Portal
more registration information
If you have any special needs which may impact your participation in this event, please contact the NTLP office at 817-377-4440 or 800-856-3050 at least 72 hours in advance.
________________________________________
ALSO
A Kick-Off Event for the 2nd Annual North Texas Conference for Library Supporters Friday, February 12, 2010 at the Courtyard by Marriott in southwest Fort Worth
Fee:
$15 if registered and paid by January 25, $20 after January 25 or at the door,
provided space is available
The Friday evening kick-off is a separate event from the Saturday conference. Please register for each event separately.
Register at the NTRLS.org Continuing Education Portal
more registration information
6:30 - 7:00 pm Sign In and Silent Auction
7:00 - 8:45 pm Dinner and Guest Speaker
Your Library's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the 21st Century
Guest Speaker: Anita Duckor, President of Duckor & Associates, Inc.
“Anita’s leadership helped transform the Minneapolis Public Library standing in the community and with all stakeholders. Anita’s professional background in strategic planning and change management contributed enormously to the Board’s and the Library’s success in meeting our many challenges. She led the Trustees in a strategic planning process in 2006 resulting in long-term sustainable financial solution – resulting in a consolidation with Hennepin County Library. Throughout many tough times, Anita’s positive attitude and can-do spirit buoyed everyone around her.”
~ Kit Hadley, former Director of the Minneapolis Public Library (2002-2007)
________________________________________
A management strategist consulting firm which serves organizations which want to effect managed change, Duckor & Associates combines visionary development and market-oriented planning with practical tactics to help lead, shape and transform an organization in the public, private, nonprofit and government sectors.
If you have any special needs which may impact your participation in this event, please contact the NTLP office at 817-377-4440 or 800-856-3050 at least 72 hours in advance.
FYI - Plan on staying the night - bring your honey!
Here's information about rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott on Bryant Irvin Rd., in case you want to stay in the hotel where the kick-off will be. I'm told that they're expecting to run out of rooms since it'll be Valentine's Day weekend. If they’re out of rooms by the time you contact them, please let me know ASAP.
Here's information provided by the hotel:
Start Date End Date Room Type Rate
2/12/2010 2/13/2010 King $98.00
2/12/2010 2/13/2010 2 Queens $98.00
Hotel’s room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 15%) in effect at the time of check-out.
RESERVATIONS
Hotel reservations will be made by individual attendees directly with Marriott reservations at (800) 393-7927 or (817) 294-7600.
BILLING ARRANGEMENTS
Individuals will be responsible for their own charges.
The 2nd annual North Texas Conference for Library Supporters will take place Saturday, February 13, 2010 in southwest Fort Worth.
Fee: $20 after January 25 or at the door
Lunch will be provided for all paid, registered participants.
Designed for
• Members of Library Boards, Friends of the Library and Library Foundations
• Library Volunteers and Other Supporters
• Library Staff Who Work with Any of the Above
The event will include
• Training Sessions
• Table Discussions
• Dedicated Time to Visit with Exhibitors
• Dedicated Time to Visit Supporters Groups’ Displays
• Time for Networking with Peers, and
• Lunch and Refreshments!
In Addition, free exhibit space will be available to any library support group interested in
• Promoting their events
• Sharing their ideas
• Bragging on their successes, and/or
• Selling whatever products or services they use in fundraising.
To request display/sales space for your library support group, complete the sign-up form.
Register at the NTRLS.org Continuing Education Portal
more registration information
If you have any special needs which may impact your participation in this event, please contact the NTLP office at 817-377-4440 or 800-856-3050 at least 72 hours in advance.
________________________________________
ALSO
A Kick-Off Event for the 2nd Annual North Texas Conference for Library Supporters Friday, February 12, 2010 at the Courtyard by Marriott in southwest Fort Worth
Fee:
$15 if registered and paid by January 25, $20 after January 25 or at the door,
provided space is available
The Friday evening kick-off is a separate event from the Saturday conference. Please register for each event separately.
Register at the NTRLS.org Continuing Education Portal
more registration information
6:30 - 7:00 pm Sign In and Silent Auction
7:00 - 8:45 pm Dinner and Guest Speaker
Your Library's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the 21st Century
Guest Speaker: Anita Duckor, President of Duckor & Associates, Inc.
“Anita’s leadership helped transform the Minneapolis Public Library standing in the community and with all stakeholders. Anita’s professional background in strategic planning and change management contributed enormously to the Board’s and the Library’s success in meeting our many challenges. She led the Trustees in a strategic planning process in 2006 resulting in long-term sustainable financial solution – resulting in a consolidation with Hennepin County Library. Throughout many tough times, Anita’s positive attitude and can-do spirit buoyed everyone around her.”
~ Kit Hadley, former Director of the Minneapolis Public Library (2002-2007)
________________________________________
A management strategist consulting firm which serves organizations which want to effect managed change, Duckor & Associates combines visionary development and market-oriented planning with practical tactics to help lead, shape and transform an organization in the public, private, nonprofit and government sectors.
If you have any special needs which may impact your participation in this event, please contact the NTLP office at 817-377-4440 or 800-856-3050 at least 72 hours in advance.
FYI - Plan on staying the night - bring your honey!
Here's information about rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott on Bryant Irvin Rd., in case you want to stay in the hotel where the kick-off will be. I'm told that they're expecting to run out of rooms since it'll be Valentine's Day weekend. If they’re out of rooms by the time you contact them, please let me know ASAP.
Here's information provided by the hotel:
Start Date End Date Room Type Rate
2/12/2010 2/13/2010 King $98.00
2/12/2010 2/13/2010 2 Queens $98.00
Hotel’s room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 15%) in effect at the time of check-out.
RESERVATIONS
Hotel reservations will be made by individual attendees directly with Marriott reservations at (800) 393-7927 or (817) 294-7600.
BILLING ARRANGEMENTS
Individuals will be responsible for their own charges.
Monday, February 01, 2010
‘Style Show’ benefits Gordon Community Library & Museum
Posted by Julie Elrod on Jan 23rd, 2010 and filed under News.
A ‘Style Show’ took place in the fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church in Gordon last Saturday to raise funds for the soon-to-open, Gordon Community Library & Museum. Fashion models for the style show wore their favorite ensembles, including some designer outfits, that were purchased from the Twice Blessed Shop in downtown Gordon. The Twice Blessed Shop is a second-hand store that is run by volunteers from area churches and organizations.
The event raised nearly $900 which will go towards purchasing children’s books for the library. Door prizes were donated by area businesses and the Harmony Hearts offered some beautiful musical entertainment. After the style show and entertainment, visitors were allowed to take a tour of the library. Board members for the Gordon Community Library & Museum are Lilly Petty – President, Betty Allison – Vice President, Bill Hopkins – Treasurer, Victoria Low – Secretary, Shaye Trigg, Tavia Tiblets, Joel Taylor, Max Wheeler and Jana Morton. 7-R donated cabinets that are being used in the library and Gordon ISD loaned furniture they were not using and donated shelves.
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