Tuesday, May 19, 2015

The Purpose-Based Library: Finding Your Path to Survival, Success, and Growth

Huber, John J, and Steven V. Potter. The Purpose-Based Library: Finding Your Path to Survival, Success, and Growth. Chicago : Neal-Schuman, an imprint of the American Library Association, 2015. ISBN: 9780838912447.

From the publisher: In the years since John Huber’s trailblazing Lean Library Management was published, budget pressures on libraries have only increased. Yet libraries who have adopted his strategies have turned conventional management thinking—that if budgets are reduced, customer service suffers—on its head. These libraries have proven that by streamlining and improving customer services, they can eliminate wasteful activities and bring down costs. In The Purpose-Based Library, Huber and seasoned public library administrator Potter build on insight gleaned from decades of experience to demonstrate how libraries can create real growth opportunities through concentrating on their true mission and purpose, and without spending a lot more money. With a focus on putting ideas into action, they point the way towards:
  • New ways to think about metrics
  • Reexamining customer self-driven services
  • Effectively leveraging the considerable footprint of libraries
  • Identifying and assessing community needs and realigning library services accordingly
  • Actively encouraging community fundraising
  • Offering cutting-edge services and programs
Packed with boots-on-the-ground commentary, this book presents strategies to help libraries survive and succeed.

Table of Contents

The Library Innovation Toolkit: Ideas, Strategies, and Programs

Molaro, Anthony and Leah L. White, eds. The Library Innovation Toolkit: Ideas, Strategies, and Programs. Chicago : ALA Editions, an imprint of the American Library Association, 2015. ISBN: 978-0-8389-1274-4.

From the publisher:
Progress for the sake of progress is all too often a drain on precious time and resources. The communities and users that libraries serve are always changing; true innovation helps libraries adapt to meet their needs and aspirations both now and in the future. This stimulating collection offers numerous snapshots of innovation in action at a range of libraries, showcasing ideas and initiatives that will inspire librarians at their own institutions. Among the topics covered are:

  • The importance of creating organizational structures that lead to innovation
  • Strategies for getting library staff and other stakeholders on board and engaged, complete with a step-by-step toolkit for achieving innovative outcomes
  • Ways to expand the library beyond its walls to deliver exceptional and innovative services to library users
  • Money-saving initiatives that use technology to improve users’ experience
  • Innovative uses of library spaces, such as designing and implementing a digital media lab
  • Examples of creative programming, from running a C2E2-style comic convention, creating an “idea” forum, to re-envisioning a children’s writing club and launching Readtember, a month of literacy programs featuring zombies, dads, and gaming
This valuable sourcebook encourages readers to take big risks, ask deeper questions, strive for better service, and dream bigger ideas.

Table of Contents.

Usability and the Mobile Web: A LITA Guide

Tidal, Junior. Usability and the Mobile Web: A LITA Guide. Chicago : ALA TechSource, an imprint of the American Library Association, 2015. ISBN: 9780838913017.

From the publisher: Mobile technology has changed the way we interact with one another and our communities. With the proliferation of mobile devices and the constant availability of information access, it is more important than ever for libraries to meet users on their phones and tablets. But not all mobile library approaches are created equal, and in this LITA guide Tidal clarifies the mobile web landscape, helping librarians and library developers create mobile websites and applications from a user-centered perspective. Whether they have previous experience conducting mobile web usability tests, or are new to the concept of user-centered design, readers will find:
  • A survey of mobile devices, with an analysis of their commonalities and differences, plus discussions on hardware and the concept of mobile context
  • Information on mobile apps, websites, and hybrids, enabling libraries to make informed decisions on what’s best for their users and institutions
  • Nuts-and-bolts guidance on text editors, HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), web browsers, and other skills and tools necessary for mobile web development
  • An overview of usability and what the concept means with regard to the library experience
  • Tips for conducting usability testing and research, from planning to execution and analysis
  • Sample scripts for recruiting testing volunteers and gathering feedback, a boilerplate consent form, and a bibliography of additional resources
With Tidal’s valuable guidance, libraries can harness mobile technologies to meet the needs and expectations of library resource users.

Technology Disaster Response and Recovery Planning: A LITA Guide

Mallery, Mary, editor. Technology Disaster Response and Recovery Planning: A LITA Guide. Chicago : ALA TechSource, an imprint of the American Library Association, 2015. ISBN: 9780838913154.

From the publisher:
Most library disaster plans focus on response and recovery from collection and facilities disasters, such as fire and floods. But because technology is becoming ever more integral to libraries’ role in their communities, any interruption in service and resources is a serious matter.  A disaster’s effect on internet and social media sites, electronic resources, digital collections, and staff and public infrastructure of PCs, tablets, laptops and other peripherals requires special consideration. Featuring contributions from librarians who offer hard-won advice gained from personal experience, this compendium leads readers through a step-by-step process of creating a library technology disaster response and recovery plan. This LITA guide:
  • Outlines the three phases of technology disaster response, with examples of planning and implementation strategies from several different libraries
  • Describes how to conduct an inventory and risk assessment
  • Provides detailed case studies of recent large-scale technology disasters in libraries and documents how lessons learned have helped to improve technology disaster planning
  • Offers an in-depth look at future trends in cloud computing, mapping out the new field of disaster mitigation, response, and recovery planning
  • Includes useful resources such as checklists, templates, and a sample communications plan
Though libraries can never know when or how disaster may strike, with the help of this guide they’ll be able to craft a response and recovery plan to weather the storm and get library technology back online as quickly as possible. 

New Routes to Library Success: 100+Ideas from Outside the Stacks


Doucett, Elisabeth. New Routes to Library Success: 100+Ideas from Outside the Stacks. Chicago: ALA, 2015. 025.1974 Douce.  378-0-8389-1313-0.

Whether in person or electronically, users come to the public library from outside the library realm. And that's exactly where genuinely transformational ideas lie. In this book Doucett mines new territory by exploring how successful organizations "outside the stacks" conduct their business. By analyzing what several private-sector organizations and their leaders are doing outstandingly well, she quickly hones in on transformational concepts that are ready for application in public libraries, offering more than a hundred innovative ideas that can be put into practice to improve customer service and day-to-day library operations. Canvassing the worlds of advertising, online commerce, fundraising, retailing, and more, Doucett profiles such successful professionals as:
  • Margaret Atwell, Kickstarter
  • Chris Wilson, L.L. Bean
  • Brian Kevin and Ginny Wright, Down East Magazine
  • Kate Chaney Chappell, Tom's of Maine
  • Walter Briggs, Briggs Advertising

An exciting survey of creativity in action, Doucett's book will encourage public library directors, managers, trustees, and staff to cross-pollinate their own expertise with innovative ideas from outside the stacks.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Information Services Today

 
Hirsh, Sandra (ed.) Information Services Today. Rowman & Littlefield, 2015. ISBN: 978-1-4422-3958-6

Description
This overview of what it means to be a library and information professional today provides a broad overview of the transformation of libraries as information organizations, why these organizations are more important today than ever before, the technological influence on how we provide information resources and services in today’s digital and global environment, and the various career opportunities available for information professionals.

Table of Contents
Part 1 - Information Landscapes: Cultural and Technological Influences

Chapter 1: The Transformative Information Landscape: What it Means to be an Information Professional Today
Sandra Hirsh, San José State University


Chapter 2: Libraries and Information Organizations: Two Centuries of Experience
Christine Pawley, University of Wisconsin-Madison


Chapter 3: Information Communities: Defining the Focus of Information Service
Karen Fisher, University of Washington
Anne Bishop, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign


Chapter 4: Diversity, Cultures, and Equity of Access
Patty Wong, Yolo County Library
Miguel Figueroa, Center for the Future of Libraries; American Library Association


Part 2 – Information Professions: Physical and Virtual Environments


Chapter 5: Librarianship: A Continuously Evolving Profession
Stephen Abram, Federation of Ontario Public Libraries; Lighthouse Consulting, Inc.


Chapter 6:Literacy and Media Centers in the 21st Century: School Libraries
Mary Ann Harlan, San José State University


Chapter 7: The Learning and Research Institution: Academic Libraries
Todd Gilman, Yale University Library


Chapter 8: Community Heart, Anchor, and Safe Haven: Public Libraries
Kathleen De La Pena McCook, University of South Florida


Chapter 9:Information Centers: Special Libraries
Cheryl R. Dee, San José State University
Stephen Abram, Federation of Ontario Public Libraries; Lighthouse Consulting, Inc.
Deb Hunt, Mechanics’ Institute San Francisco; Information Edge


Chapter 10:Digital Resources: Digital Libraries
Lisa Gregory, North Carolina Digital Heritage Center
Amy Rudersdorf, Digital Public Library of America


Chapter 11: Expanding the Horizon of the MLIS
Melissa Fraser-Arnott, Queensland University of Technology – San José State University (QUT-SJSU) Gateway PhD Program


Part 3 – Information Services: Roles in the Digital Age


Chapter 12: Information Needs: Understanding and Responding to Today’s Information User
Heather O'Brien, University of British Columbia
Devon Greyson, University of British Columbia


Chapter 13:Finding Information: Information Intermediation and Reference Services
Michelle Holschuh Simmons, San José State University


Chapter 14: Organizing Information: Technical Services
Sylvia D. Hall-Ellis, San José State University; Colorado Community College System


Chapter 15: Accessing Information Anywhere and Anytime: Access Services
Michael J. Krasulski, University of the Sciences


Chapter 16: Teaching Users: Information & Technology Literacy Instruction
April D. Cunningham, Palomar College
Stephanie Rosenblatt, Cerritos College


Part 4 – Information Users: Engaging, Creating, and Collaborating via Technology


Chapter 17: User Experience
Aaron Schmidt, Library User Experience Consulting


Chapter 18: Hyperlinked Libraries
Michael Stephens, San José State University


Chapter 19:Creation Culture and Makerspaces
Kristin Fontichiaro, University of Michigan


Chapter 20:Infinite Learning
Paul Signorelli, Paul Signorelli & Associates


Part 5 – Information Organizations: Management Skills for the Information Professional


Chapter 21: Management Skills
Janine Golden, University of Southern California


Chapter 22: Managing Budgets
Sara F. Jones, Marin County Free Library


Chapter 23: Managing Personnel
Cass Mabbott, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign


Chapter 24: Managing Facilities
Paul Glassman, William Paterson University


Chapter 25: Managing Collections
Wayne T. Disher, San José State University


Chapter 26: Managing Technology
Marshall Breeding, Independent Technology Consultant


Chapter 27: Managing Communications, Marketing, and Outreach
Christie Koontz, Florida State University; San José State University


Chapter 28: Demonstrating Value: Assessment
Cheryl Stenström, San José State University


Part 6 – Information Issues: Influences and Consequences


Chapter 29: Information Policy
Kate Marek, Dominican University


Chapter 30: Information Ethics
Martin L. Garnar, Regis University


Chapter 31: Copyright and Creative Commons
Mary Minow, LibraryLaw.com
Liz Hamilton, Dominican University


Chapter 32: Information Licensing
Celeste Feather, LYRASIS
Maura Hadaway, LYRASIS
Tom Sanville, LYRASIS


Chapter 33: Open Access
Heather Joseph, The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC)


Chapter 34: Analog and Digital Curation and Preservation
Katherine Skinner, Educopia Institute


Chapter 35: Information Privacy and Cybersecurity
Cherie L. Givens, San José State University


Chapter 36: Intellectual Freedom
Barbara M. Jones, Office for Intellectual Freedom; Freedom to Read Foundation; American Library Association


Part 7: Information Horizons: Career Management and Leadership Strategies


Chapter 37: Career Management Strategies for Lifelong Success
Naomi House, INALJ.com


Chapter 38: Global Learning Networks
Jan Holmquist, Guldborgsund Public Library


Chapter 39: Leadership for Today and Tomorrow
Carol H. Sawyer, University of La Verne

Friday, May 15, 2015

Rethinking Library Technical Services: Redefining Our Profession for the Future


Weber, Mary Beth (ed.) Rethinking Library Technical Services: Redefining Our Profession for the Future. Rowman & Littlefield, 2015. ISBN: 978-1-4422-3863-3

Description
What will technical services look like in thirty years, if it exists at all? This collection of essays from leading experts in the field of technical services takes a look at the future of the field.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Future of Traditional Technical ServicesJulie Renee Moore and James L. Weinheimer  
Chapter 2: The State of Technical Services TodayMary Beth Weber  
Chapter 3: Metadata, MARC, and MoreSylvia Hall-Ellis 
Chapter 4: Restructuring Monograph Acquisitions in Academic Libraries: Innovative Strategies
for the Twenty-First Century
Michael Luesebrink 

Chapter 5: The Management of Electronic Resources: An OverviewAlice Crosetto 
Chapter 6: Research Data and Linked Data: A New Future for Technical Services?Sherry Vellucci 
Chapter 7: Skills for the Future of Technical ServicesErin E. Boyd and Elyssa Gould 
Chapter 8: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: The End of Technical Services?: A Think Piece on the Future of Technical Services Amy Weiss  
Chapter 9: Interviews/feedback from the profession

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century


Smallwood, Carol (ed.) Creative Management of Small Public Libraries in the 21st Century. Rowman & Littlefield, 2015. ISBN: 978-1-4422-43552

Description
Defining small libraries as those serving populations of 25,000 or under, this collection of essays covers topics including staffing, programming, management, technology, networking, fundraising, and user services. Many essays emphasize turning the focus of service of staff outward into the community and the importance of relationship building. 

Table of Contents

Part I Staff
Chapter 1 Attitudes
Padma Polepeddi

Chapter 2 Employee Energy=Motivate Connect 2 Empower (E=MC2)
Amanda D. McKay Biarkis and Johnna Schultz

Chapter 3 Staff Evaluations
Padma Polepeddi

Chapter 4 Succession Planning Strategies for Small Public Libraries
Karen Harrison Dyck

Part II Programming
Chapter 5 Cultivating Conversation, Memory & Self-Awareness: Women & Libraries Post-Retirement
Joanna Kluever, Wayne Finley

Chapter 6 Patron Facilitated Programming
Shawn D. Walsh and Melanie A. Lyttle

Chapter 7 Programming: Helping the Community Learn More About Itself
Judith Wines

Chapter 8 Successful Adult Programming Using Local Resources
Diana Stirling

Part III Management
Chapter 9 Building a Dynamic System for Relevant Statistical Analysis
Joshua K. Johnson

Chapter 10 Collection Management in Small Public Libraries
Brady A. Clemens

Chapter 11 Establishing an Inviting Atmosphere Through Library Displays
Cynthia Harbeson

Chapter 12 The Helping Hands of Boomers in Friends of the Library Groups
Kim Becnel and LouAnn Morehouse

Chapter 13 Making an Inviting Library Atmosphere
Jan Burns

Chapter 14 When Small Means Really Small
Joy Worland

Part IV Technology
Chapter 15 E-reading in Rural Libraries: A Guide to Effective Support
David Robinson

Chapter 16 Facebook Classes for Older Patrons
Sarah Kaufman

Chapter 17 Preserving Your Community's Memories: Developing Librarians for Digital Preservation
Vanessa Neblett and Shane Roopnarine

Chapter 18 Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Library Web Content
Lauren Magnuson

Chapter 19 Seniors in Cyberspace
RoseAleta Laurell

Part V Networking
Chapter 20 Celebrating Creative Achievements: Facilitating Networking, Learning, and Camaraderie
Sharon Miller

Chapter 21 Supporting Success: Thinking Outside the Box via In-State Sister Libraries
April Ritchie

Part VI Fundraising
Chapter 22 Beyond the Book Sale: Creative Fundraising for Your Small Public Library
Portia Kapraun

Chapter 23 Fundraising: Filling the Gap Without Grants
Judith Wines

Chapter 24 Grantsmanship Methods and Strategies for Rural and Small-Town Librarians
Dwight McInvaill

Chapter 25 Programming Turned Fundraisers from a Library Board Trustee Member/Librarian Perspective
Linda Burkey Wade

Part VII User Services
Chapter 26 The After School Café
Amy White

Chapter 27 Instructional Design and the Public Librarian
Melissa Cornwell

Chapter 28 Library Services for Users in their 20s & 30s
Samantha C. Helmick

Chapter 29 Market Research: a Vital Tool for the Survival of Public Libraries
Brian A. Reynolds

Chapter 30 Simple Strategies for Improving the User Experience with the Library Website
Teri Oaks Gallaway and James B. Hobbs

Chapter 31 A Tree Without Roots Cannot Grow: Creative Outreach to African-American Genealogical Patrons
Nancy Richey

Chapter 32 We Started a Festival: The Halloween Costume Collection
Amy White


Thursday, May 7, 2015

OHSU Brain Awareness Lecture & Events (videos)


-->
The OHSU Brain Awareness Season is recognized as one of the best neurological programs in nation. It includes a number of lectures and events on brain awareness. Learn more about current and upcoming brain awareness lectures and program on the OHSU website.

The following VHS of OHSU’s previous Brain Awareness Lecture & Events seasons available at the State Library include:
2004 Brain Awareness Lectures
  • The Bard on the Brain: Understanding the Mind… Paul M. Matthews, MD
  • Visions of the Mind: A New Way of Looking… Michael Psner, Ph.D
  • Brain Child: Exploring Children’s… David Amaral Ph.D
  • Liars, Lovers and Heros… Terrence J. Sejnowski, Ph.D
  • Memory, Mind and Megabytes… Intel, OGI, OHUS, Alzheimer’s Association
  • The Undiscovered County… Floyd Bloom, MD
  • Crossing the Blood/Brain Barrier: Lessons from the Great Wall of China
2003 Brain Awareness Lectures
  • It’s A Jungle In There… Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D
  • The End of Stress As We Know It… Bruce McEwen, Ph.D
  • The Memory Workout… Gary Small, MD
  • Inside the Mind of Ira Flatow… Ira Flatow
  • The Biology of Need… Eric Nextler, MD, Ph.D
  • Deep-Brain technology: Stimulating Breakthroughs in Treating Parkinson’s Disease
2002 Brain Awareness Lectures
  • The Baby Brain from Neurons to Neighborhoods… Charles Nelson, Ph.D
  • The Adolescent Brain… Robert Hitxemann, MD
  • The Mature Brain, a Healthy Aging Brain… Christine Cassell, MD
  • The Ever Developing Brain… Richard Restak, MD
  • How Your Child Learns… Pat Wolfe, Ed., Ph.D
  • Alzheimer’s Disease: Preventing or Delaying Dementia
Brain Awareness Teacher Lectures
  • Rewire Your Gray Matter… Michael Merzenich, Ph.D
  • How Your Child Learns… Pat Wolfe, Ed.D, Ph.D
  • Stress and the Young Child… Megan Gunner, Ph.D
  • Brain Basis of Learning and Memory… Jeri Janowsky, Ph.D
  • Our Magnificent Modular Brain… Robert Sylwester, Ph.D
  • Coaching the Brain… E. Coughlin & Huhtala, Ph.Ds
  • Understanding of Substance Abuse… R. Hitsemann, Ph.D

Brain Awareness Lectures (videos)


-->
The OHSU Brain Awareness Season is recognized as one of the best neurological programs in nation. It includes a number of lectures and events on brain awareness. Learn more about current and upcoming brain awareness lectures and program on the OHSU website.

The following VHS of OHSU’s previous Brain Awareness Lecture & Events seasons available at the State Library include:
2004 Brain Awareness Lectures
  • The Bard on the Brain: Understanding the Mind… Paul M. Matthews, MD
  • Visions of the Mind: A New Way of Looking… Michael Psner, Ph.D
  • Brain Child: Exploring Children’s… David Amaral Ph.D
  • Liars, Lovers and Heros… Terrence J. Sejnowski, Ph.D
  • Memory, Mind and Megabytes… Intel, OGI, OHUS, Alzheimer’s Association
  • The Undiscovered County… Floyd Bloom, MD
  • Crossing the Blood/Brain Barrier: Lessons from the Great Wall of China
2003 Brain Awareness Lectures
  • It’s A Jungle In There… Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D
  • The End of Stress As We Know It… Bruce McEwen, Ph.D
  • The Memory Workout… Gary Small, MD
  • Inside the Mind of Ira Flatow… Ira Flatow
  • The Biology of Need… Eric Nextler, MD, Ph.D
  • Deep-Brain technology: Stimulating Breakthroughs in Treating Parkinson’s Disease
2002 Brain Awareness Lectures
  • The Baby Brain from Neurons to Neighborhoods… Charles Nelson, Ph.D
  • The Adolescent Brain… Robert Hitxemann, MD
  • The Mature Brain, a Healthy Aging Brain… Christine Cassell, MD
  • The Ever Developing Brain… Richard Restak, MD
  • How Your Child Learns… Pat Wolfe, Ed., Ph.D
  • Alzheimer’s Disease: Preventing or Delaying Dementia
Brain Awareness Teacher Lectures
  • Rewire Your Gray Matter… Michael Merzenich, Ph.D
  • How Your Child Learns… Pat Wolfe, Ed.D, Ph.D
  • Stress and the Young Child… Megan Gunner, Ph.D
  • Brain Basis of Learning and Memory… Jeri Janowsky, Ph.D
  • Our Magnificent Modular Brain… Robert Sylwester, Ph.D
  • Coaching the Brain… E. Coughlin & Huhtala, Ph.Ds
  • Understanding of Substance Abuse… R. Hitsemann, Ph.D

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Best Books for Children: Preschool through Grade 6



Barr, Catherine & Naidoo, Jamie Campbell. (2015). Best Books for Children: Preschool through Grade 6; 10th Ed. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. 978-1-59884-781-9.

Along with coverage of many new publications and updated bibliographic information, this new edition features an organization modified to reflect current publishing trends. The book now features separate Graphic Novels, Alphabet, Concept books, and Counting books sections (the latter three traditionally were included in Fiction for Younger Readers) and a new Traditional Literature section that covers Fairy Tales, Folklore, Mythology, Poetry, and Nursery Rhymes. In addition, Plays have been moved to Theater and Plays, under Performing Arts.

As in all of the Best Books titles, the authors have carefully culled the most trusted professional review sources to identify the most highly recommended new books for children. The volume provides review citations and makes note of available eBook and audiobook versions. Brief annotations, bibliographic data, grade level appropriateness, and review citations help you identify books of high quality, while the book's topical arrangement makes it easy to create theme- and genre-based reading lists and programs as well as to identify read-alikes for young readers. The free, online annual updates help you stay current with new titles for children.

Features:
  • Contains some 30,000 annotated entries on recommended children's books for readers in pre-K through grade six
  • Provides helpful indexes for easy and quick access, including author/illustrator, title, and subject/grade level
  • Offers annual updates online to keep librarians abreast of current releases
  • Draws recommendations for books from a wide range of trusted review journals
  • Helps librarians build reading lists based on themes and genres
(book description)

Monday, May 4, 2015

Best STEM Resources

Hopwood, J. (2015). Best STEM Resources for NextGen Scientists. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN: 978-1-61069-721-7

Publisher's Description
Intended to support the national initiative to strengthen learning in areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, this book helps librarians who work with youth in school and public libraries to build better collections and more effectively use these collections through readers' advisory and programming.

A versatile and multi-faceted guide, Best STEM Resources for NextGen Scientists: The Essential Selection and User's Guide serves as a readers' advisory and collection development resource for youth services and school librarians seeking to bring STEM-related titles into their collections and introduce teachers and young readers to them. This book not only guides readers to hundreds of the best STEM-related titles—fiction and non-fiction printed materials as well as apps, DVDs, websites, and games—it also includes related activities or programming ideas to help promote the use of the collection to patrons or students in storytime, afterschool programs, or passive library programs.

After a detailed discussion of the importance of STEM and the opportunities librarians have for involvement, the book lists and describes best STEM resources for young learners. Resources are organized according to the reading audiences for which they are intended, from toddlers through teens, and the book includes annotated lists of both fiction and nonfiction STEM titles as well as graphic novels, digital products, and online resources. In addition, the author offers a selection of professional readings for librarians and media specialists who wish to further expand their knowledge.

Features
  • Introduces more than 500 STEM resource suggestions for toddlers to young adults
  • Highlights more than 25 detailed library program or activity suggestions to be paired with STEM book titles
  • Provides resource suggestions for professional development 
  • Contains bonus sections on STEM-related graphic novels, apps, and other media