Interested in Teaching Online? Register Now for Simmons GSLIS Online Instructional Design Workshop

Instructional Design: Creating Materials for an Online Course

Online — August 29 – October 3, 2008

What is the difference between preparing to teach an online course and preparing to teach in a face-to-face setting? A lot! Many who are new to online teaching are surprised at how much planning and writing is involved. This workshop orients participants to the ins and outs of online course design and authorship. This workshop is non-technical and software agnostic; we will not focus on the technical process of posting materials within a learning management system. Instead, we will concentrate on instructional design and materials preparation. By the end of the workshop, you will have developed (1) a sample syllabus and other orienting materials; (2) an online community-building warm-up activity; (3) the text for one online “session,” including an activity/assignment; and (4) a strategy for assessing student learning.

Preview at: http://gailonline.org/GSLIS_course_preview.html

Faculty: Gail Matthews-DeNatale, Ph.D., Associate Director of Academic Technology, Simmons College; gmdenatale@simmons.edu

To register or for more information see http://www.simmons.edu/gslis/continuinged/workshops/ or contact gslisce@simmons.edu

NISO Webinar at Holy Cross

ITIG has purchased access to the NISO Webinar on Open Url’s.

Cost: FREE!!

Date and Time: August 21, 2008 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Location: College of Holy Cross, Scalia Electronic Classroom on the second floor of the library

Please RSVP to: Bob Scheier, rcheier@holycross.edu

Description: “OpenURL Implementation: Link Resolution That Users Will Love.” This follow-up to to introductory webinar on “Demystifying Standards” will take a look at implementing the NISO standard for link resolvers, OpenURL (ANSI/NISO Z39.88), from an end user perspective. You do not need to have attended the previous webinar to participate, however the slides and Q&A from that webinar are available online(http://www.niso.org/news/events/2008/webinars/alcts08/) for those who wish to review them.**

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Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award Announced

Nominations for public librarians open August 15

Carnegie Corporation of New York has awarded the American Library Association $489,000 to support the new Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award.

Administered by the ALA’s Public Information Office and Campaign for America’s Libraries, the award will launch this year and will continue annually through 2013.  The award encourages library users to recognize the accomplishments of librarians in public, school, college, community college and university libraries for their efforts to improve the lives of people in their community.

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Libraries adapt to Internet age (Burlington Free Press-July 25, 2008)

 

The Internet was supposed to send America’s public libraries the way of eight-track tapes and pay phones. It turns out, they’re busier than ever.

Libraries have transformed from staid, sleepy institutions into hip community centers offering Internet service, classes for kids and seniors, and even coffee and video gaming nights. Some have classes on citizenship for recent immigrants or provide sessions on improving computer skills. Most offer wireless Internet service, and many consult teen advisory councils for guidance on how to attract young people.

At most libraries, traffic is up — in some cases, way up — fueled in part by the lure of free computer use, according to experts and a Gannett News Service analysis of state and federal data.

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When law enforcement comes a’knocking

Dear colleagues,

“It will never happen here!”

Isn’t it human nature to believe that tragedies happen “out there,” in the world, and not in our own communities? Sadly, many communities have cause to know that tragedies do indeed happen at home. My own community, Randolph and neighboring Braintree, has just suffered the agony of the disappearance and murder of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett.

I am writing this because “It will never happen here!” also happened at my library.

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When law enforcement comes a'knocking

Dear colleagues,
“It will never happen here!”
Isn’t it human nature to believe that tragedies happen “out there,” in the world, and not in our own communities? Sadly, many communities have cause to know that tragedies do indeed happen at home. My own community, Randolph and neighboring Braintree, has just suffered the agony of the disappearance and murder of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett.
I am writing this because “It will never happen here!” also happened at my library.
Read more→

ALA–Day Four, the home stretch

Our second Council meeting began the day on Tuesday. Judith Platt, Freedom to Read Foundation President reported litigation activity underway to defend the rights of readers and bookstores to resist challenges to their right to have access to books and information. Membership in the FTRF has fallen off in recent years. ALA Members are encouraged to join: http://www.ftrf.org/joinftrf.html

“Resolution on Support for Funding for Cataloging and Bibliographic Control at the Library of Congress” by Councilors Diane Dates Casey and Janet Swan Hill was passed unanimously. Also passed overwhelmingly were “Resolution Supporting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)” and “Resolution Concerning ALA Policy Opposing Sweatshop Labor” (ALA and its affiliates will not purchase products for distribution to Membership that have been created by sweatshop labor).

In the afternoon on Tuesday I attended a Chapter Councilors’ forum where state councilors get together to discuss concerns about chapter issues. There is apparently an issue with the PLA running trainings in states without the knowledge of the state associations. There was also talk of holding a chapter councilors’ reception in Denver at the Midwinter meeting. (As you may have gleaned, receptions are good—the more you get invited to the less you have to think about how to fit in eating between meetings and, of course, the more money you save on food! The ultimate score is a reception with an open bar!)

Nancy Wilson

Government Relations Committee meeting June 12, 2008

The VLA Government Realtions Committee met at Mid-State Regional Library.

Members present: Lisa von Kann, Hilari Farrington, Paula Baker, John Shullenberger, Marty Reid, Deb Spackman

In May, Lisa, Martin Hahn (leaving the committee having served with Lisa as co-chair) and John Shullenberger had a wrap-up meeting to review the year and make some plans for the future. An agreement was reached to pay John a stipend of $1000 during the 2009 legislative session to keep us “in the game” despite the expectation of a poor economic outlook. The committee all agreed. We are deeply grateful for the work that John did for us and feel that his connection to the legislature on our behalf us is vital.
We plan to have conference call meetings when possible to avoid driving.
Marty and Paula reported on their day at the Snelling Center conference on: Vermont E-State. Legislative Breakfasts are important and we want to encourage libraries to schedule them for the week of November 17, 2008. This is before the session but after the elections. We will meet in late August around this topic and prepare packets to mail out. Hilari has agreed to do the update on packet materials. Lisa will retain the Card Room for Library Leg. Day with the help of John Shullenberger. Naturally, we are all very pleased with Marty’s new position and feel excited about the possibilities ahead for Vermont libraries. Way to go, Marty! Special thanks to Martin Hahn for the dedicated work he has done to promote the state funding initiative. Good luck Martin in your interesting journey ahead. We welcome Robert Coleburn from the Fletcher Free Library as a new member. Robert has agreed to take over the responsibility of developing our collaboration with the Vermont Telecommunications Authority.

Lisa von Kann, St. Johnsbury Athenaeum