Idaho Commission for Libraries

Curious how to keep learning on the web? Wondering the right ways to act/react to others around you on the web?

It seems like ages ago that Kimberly Bolan's "Teen Spaces: second edition" was published. I finally got it in my hands today. There is a reason that I asked my director to buy this book rather than checking it out from PDS -- my library is IN it! How cool is that?

The Libraries Linking Idaho (LiLI) Steering Committee met on April 2, 2009 at the Idaho Commission for Libraries. Participants were provided an overview of the Idaho Education Network (IEN) by the Idaho Department of Administration's Greg Zickau. Additionally, participation saw demonstrations of the WorldCat Local project being implemented at BSU, UofI, UofI Law, and LCSC.

ICFL has quickly climbed to the top of my list of favorite library resources! From the Professional Development Collection (which is unfortunately no longer available) to the Jump Start program to Let's Talk About It, ICFL offers the best programs and resources for library development. Yay!

If you are a user of WebJunction Idaho, please Click Here to take a 5 minute survey to tell ICFL about how you use WebJunction and its value to you as an Idaho Librarian! Your input will be greatly appreciated!

Here are some resources you may consider offering your job seeking patrons through public access computers or computer training:

O*NETTM OnLine!

A short story: Long ago, a library started working with teens to provide a space, services, and programs for them and their peers. It all proved popular. Library policiies evolved, making the library a comfortable and welcoming third place for teens (and kids, and others who like a comfortable free place to meet and hang out where they aren't expected to buy anything.)

As I am preparing for a Wimba session exploring the Technology Tab on WJ Idaho, I found this article which may be useful for small libraries -- although it is dated 2005, the links are still good and information solid. So if you are having Technology concerns (hardware/software) this may be helpful!

An Excel file of the preliminary FY08 Public Library Statistics is available now. This file is in alphabetical order. Please note that population figures are still from FY2007.

At yesterday's SWILA conference, participants in the Digital Trailer session commented how useful it would be to post their trailers and view those created by others. WebJunction (http://id.webjunction.org/) is a great place to share library related ideas, discussion, and all types of media.

Users can join or create a group on a specific topic and then keep up with information pertinent to that topic, or follow a specific discussion thread. A book discussion group already exists (http://www.webjunction.org/743/resources/overview), or one specific to digtal trailers can be created and others invited to join it. View existing groups and how to create new groups at: http://www.webjunction.org/membercenter and check out "New Groups"

Kudos to the planners and presenters for the 2009 Southwest Idaho Library Association Conference. The well-organized conference offered an abundance of sessions, which made it hard to choose! I loved learning more about technology and social networking, and the awesome ways that librarians are hooking teen readers. It was great to network and meet new people in the library field.

You may have heard that Washington DC public library has an iPhone app. But if you aren't familiar with iPhones, you may not know what this means for them and their users.

The Idaho Board of Library Commissioners will meet in a regularly scheduled conference call meeting on Friday, April 10, 2009, at 10:00 AM MDT at the Idaho Commission for Libraries.

Agenda items are available from the office of the State Librarian or this web site at: http://libraries.idaho.gov/boarddoc/bymeeting/2009-04-10.

Does your library offer “financial literacy” resources or workshops on topics such as home-buying, foreclosure intervention, debt elimination, loan qualifying, or investing? If so, here is a chance to highlight another valuable service that Idaho libraries provide to their communities:

The Idaho Commission for Libraries will host its first online conference -- Libraries = Learning Organizations --on May 14, 2009 from 9 AM to 12 Noon MDT.

Registration for Libraries=Learning Organizations is now open.

I may own a first. Yesterday, at the ILA region 4 conference, Anthony Doerr signed my copy of his eBook Four Seasons in Rome.A signed eBook! I had to assure him that it was more than O.K. To write on my iPod Touch case.