Government Documents Librarianship

Government Documents Librarianship : A Guide for the Neo-Depository Era. Ennis, Lisa A. Medford, N.J. Information Today, 2007. 174pp.

From the publisher:

This guide breaks down the components of government documents librarianship into manageable, easy to understand parts. Lisa A. Ennis, a “tried by fire” documents librarian, begins by looking at career opportunities in both Federal Depository Libraries (FDLs) and non-depository libraries with government document collections. Ennis discusses skills and traits; networking and training options; managing and administering people, paperwork, and collections; and both public service and technical service issues.

Government Documents Librarianship provides essential background on the GPO and the FDLP, covering the shift to a digital environment and publication of the new Electronic FDL Manual. The informative coverage is matched by an enthusiastic “can-do” approach that will appeal to any librarian considering or already engaged in government documents work.

The Joy of Computing : A Cookbook for Small and Rural Libraries

[picture and text courtesy of the MaintainIT Project]

The Joy of Computing : A Cookbook for Small and Rural Libraries. MaintainIT Project, 2007. 85 pp.

Learn about locking down public computers, use a handy maintenance checklist, and more!

Download the entire pdf (2.27 MB)

Look inside the contents and download individual chapters

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Chapter by chapter downloads are also available:

Getting Started
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This chapter describes what you'll find in the Cookbook, how to use it, and who was behind it.

Meal Plan 1: Focusing on Your Ingredients for Success
Download the pdf (352 KB)
Learn how to develop a technology plan that keeps your computers humming and your patrons happy.

Meal Plan 2: Meat and Potato Patron Computers
Download the pdf (962 KB)
Learn practical maintenance techniques, such as how to lock down your computer and keep them virus free!

Meal Plan 3: Volunteers for the Kitchen
Download the pdf (417 KB)
Learn how volunteers can improve the services you provide!

Meal Plan 4: Getting the Technology Training You Need
Download the pdf (313 KB)
Training is more than a class. Learn how to develop a plan to keep your staff on top--and ahead--of your technology.

Meal Plan 5: Future Menus for Library Technology Services
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Take time to consider the future and your library's place in it.

Appendix A: Library Spotlight--Tips & Techniques
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Read real stories from libraries on creative ways to keep computers available to the public.

Libraries Connect Communities

Libraries Connect Communities : Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2006 - 2007. American Library Association and Florida State University, 2007. 185pp.

From press release:

Ever-growing patron demand for computer and Internet services in U.S. public libraries has stretched existing Internet bandwidth, computer availability, and building infrastructure to capacity, according to a new study “Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2006-2007,” conducted by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University (FSU).

The study, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ALA, found that more than 73 percent of libraries report they are the only source of free public access to computers and the Internet in their communities. Surveyed libraries said that the top three Internet services most critical to their community are online educational resources and databases for K-12 students (67.7 percent); services for job seekers (44 percent); and computer and Internet skills training (29.8 percent).

Request via ILL or download the complete PDF (6.22 MB).

Is Consulting for You? A Primer for Information Professionals

Is Consulting for You? A Primer for Information Professionals. de Stricker, Ulla. Chicago, IL. American Library Association, 2008. 95pp.

From the cover:
Libraries choose to hire consultants for a variety of reasons, from filling the gaps when they need expertise or personnel to bringing their services and programs to the next level.

Librarians and information professionals possess a unique mix of skills that are well suited to consulting. Expert author Ulla de Stricker builds on this skill set to present a range of consulting activities from highly specialized, focused activities to broad, strategic efforts.

If you've ever considered becoming a consultant, this book will help you determine whether it's right for you and give you the tools to succeed. Seasoned consultants, library directors and trainers, and companies working with libraries will also gain inspiration from the wealth of ideas offered here.

After-School Treats and Let's Build (books)

Chumbley, T. (n.d.). After-school treats: A program manual of after-school activities for children in 2nd through 6th grades. Des Moines, IA: State Library of Iowa.

Programs are designed to be adaptable--pick and choose what works for you, adapt activities to make them your own. Programs don't all have the same features, but you'll see a lot of crafts, games/activities, songs and fingerplays, bibliographies, and clip-art. Program themes: sports, numbers, 5 senses, time, dogs, money, pizza, and snow. The last page in the manual lists several additional themes to get you thinking about other programs for your library.

Chumbley, T. (n.d.). Lets build! A program manual celebrating construction in the library. Des Moines, IA: State Library of Iowa.

Perfect for libraries under construction and/or remodeling! Manual contents: decorations and displays, reading logs, certificates, bookmarks, songs and fingerplays, program ideas, games, crafts, clipart, handouts/reproducibles, and bibliography.

These manuals were written by Tami Chumbley, a children's librarian, and illustrated by Crystal Kehoe, a youth services assistant. They have been provided by the State Library of Iowa in cooperation with North Central Library Service Area.