Blog Posts by Shirley Biladeau

Transparency & Libraries

Shirley Biladeau — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:25:42 -0700

An open conversation between Jan Klerk Librarian at City Library of Haarlem Netherlands and Michael Stephens from Tame the Web -- talks about the key elements of a transparent library: open communication, adapting to change, and scanning the horizon. And that Library 2.0 comes down to a philosophy of service built on constant change,participatory service, and mindful evaluation. Although a very simplistic approach ... and realizing change takes time and effort ... how transparent is your library?

Go to Tame the Web to read more...

Using Online Educational Opportunities

Shirley Biladeau — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:08:56 -0600

Just a reminder that the Idaho Commission for Libraries offers a multitude of online learning opportunities. I would encourage you to go to the new and improved ICFL Continuing Education web page. I have tried to accommodate mulitple learning styles, so hopefully you will find it useful!

So how do you improve your success in using online education opportunities? Pat Wagner, Pattern Research, provided some great tips in our recent Libraries = Learning Organizations Online Conference. Everything from providing coaching and mentoring to making education a managerial priority.

Online learning is just one item in the education toolkit. Combine that with reading literature, networking with colleagues, attending conferences, accessing webinars, and seeking knowledge through the traditional classroom ... you will find a wealth of information at your fingertips just when you need it!

What's your learning style? And why is that important to know?

Shirley Biladeau — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:17:47 -0600

The second conference in the Libraries = Learning Organizations' series focused on learning styles. The buzz is online learning. But this may not be the best way for you to learn. To identify your learning style take the VARK Questionnaire and follow-up with the information regarding your individual learning preference.

My golden nugget was an awareness that not everyone secures and digests information the same way I do. And even though I am multimodal, the Kinesthetic and Read/Write tools work best for me. I have learned that when taking a self-directed, online class -- it is better if I turn off the speaker and make myself read!!! The narrator's voice is just too distracting and it reminds me of lectures when I was in college --- my mind tends to wander!

So why is this important? As a teacher,coach, or mentor, I need to be sensitive to individual learning styles and include as many different types of tools so each learner can feel successful during the learning journey.

So what is your learning style? And why is it important for you to know? I would love to hear!

WJ Courses -- Some Hints to Maximize your Learning

Shirley Biladeau — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:29:59 -0600

I just finished a WJ Idaho course via the vendor Skillsoft. This is my third course and I took time to play with the course. Sometimes, I am linear and forget to look go beyond the bounds. This happens a lot of times when I am learning ... a product of how I behaved during my educational years 6-18!!

So I discovered some tools that may really expand your WJ experience for you -- and you may already know about these -- that is great -- please share with your colleagues as they continue their learning adventure.

So for the Skillsoft provider when the window opens, you will notice a toolbar at the bottom -- if you haven't explored it, here is what the symbols mean! Starting from the left hand side (click here to see a picture)
1. Home -- that will always take you back to the course menu.
2. Show Learning Points -- when you are inside the course you will be able to navigate to the learning points in the selected topic. (just click on it a second time to hide the learning points)
3. Show Captions -- This will open a page notes dialog box beneath the screen (click again to hide the box)
4. Show Resources -- my favorite -- In each course there will be a variety of resources for more learning opportunities, this includes course objectives, course description, job aids, skill briefs, information on NASBA CPE Credit, and the ability to print your scores and completion status!
5. Auto Advance On -- this turns on or off the auto advance of slides and commentary -- a good thing for those of us who process information in a methodical manner!
6. Audio On -- or off -- in case that read/write is your preferred method of learning, rather than auditory. For me the voice sometimes gets in the way....

The other buttons on the tool bar are the basic familiar tape/cd player buttons.

Hope this helps -- be sure to explore all the buttons on the page, just to see what is behind Door # ????

The One-Person Library

Shirley Biladeau — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:35:37 -0600

The March 2009 issue of the One-Person Library newsletter provided as its swan song a list of many resources for those of you who find yourself in such a situation! The important thing to remember is you are not alone -- there is a wealth of information available at your fingertips. Here are just a few you might consider reviewing:

Books on Solo Librarianship
Managing the NEW One-Person Library (1992) by Guy St. Clair and Joan Williamson
The Essential OPL 1998-2004 by Judith A. Siess

Blogs
Lone Wolf Librarian http://lonewolflibrarian.wordpress.com
The Solo Librarian http://sololibrarian.blogspot.com
The Corporate Librarian http://thecorporatelibrarian.com
OPL Plus http://opls.blogspot.com

Wikis
http://wiki.sla.org
http://wiki.sla.org/display/Toronto/Solo+Librarians

Websites/Organizations
SOLO Librarian Division, Special Libraries Association http://units.sla.org/division/dsol/

Other
Solo Librarianship: Unique Challenges and Opportunities for New Librarians
by Kristina Keogh http://www.liscareer.com/keogh_solo.htm
PART 3: “Influence Pyramid” and the Solo Librarian…03.02.09 http://lonewolflibrarian.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/the-solo-librarian-and...

Fair Use / Copyright Tools

Shirley Biladeau — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:44:29 -0600

Here are some great e-tools regarding "Fair Use / Copyright" usage. Produced by the American Library Association Office of Information Technology Policy" they are online and available 24-7! So next time you have a burning "fair use" question, run it through the steps and you will have an answer -- one you can print a hard copy of the results -- in no time at all!

Tools include:
Fair Use Evaluator
Exceptions for Instructors in Copyright Law
Public Domain
Section 108 of the CopyrightCode

WebTools4U2Use

Shirley Biladeau — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:31:39 -0600

Just discovered this website -- a great compilation of many web tools -- a wonderful follow-up to SPLAT 101 http://webtools4u2use.wikispaces.com/Webtools4U2Use

Here is the first paragraph "The purpose of this website is to provide a place for K-12 school library media specialists to learn a little more about web tools that can be used to improve and enhance school library media programs and services, to see examples of how they can be used, and to share success stories and creative ideas about how to use and integrate them. Hundreds of free and inexpensive web tools are available for school library media specialists to use that can make us more productive, valued, and, perhaps, more competitive."

WebJunction Idaho Courses

Shirley Biladeau — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:37:43 -0600

Have you taken advantage of the WebJunction Idaho Courses? Here is why you should:
1. They are free to affiliated WJ Idaho members (anyone working in or with an Idaho library [public, school, special, other] is eligible).
2. They provide a wealth of training in all skills areas for anyone who is working in a library.
3. They are free.
4. It is a great way to access content and learn.
5. They are free.
6. An easy way to expand your skills without leaving your desk.
7. And did I mention they are free?!

Here is a short video which guides you through the 3 different types of courses available.

You can't get there -- having problems accessing the courses? Please, please email and I will perform magic to make it work for you! shirley.biladeau@libraries.idaho.gov

Free Courses

Shirley Biladeau — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:45:41 -0600

This 8 minute video clip takes all the fear out of using the WebJunction online courses. If you have not taken advantage of the free courses as an affiliated member of WebJunction Idaho, make some time to do so! Here are a couple of good reasons:

You access to the course content for one year, so you don't have to complete it all in one setting!
You get to print your own certificate of completion for any course.
There are 300 course units waiting to be used. They need to be accessed by December 31, 2009 -- or they will go away!

Buddy up with a colleague and take a course today! Learning is always more effective when doing it in groups!

Immersive Internet and Libraries

Shirley Biladeau — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:43:00 -0600

Okay, just came across the term this morning -- Immersive Internet which is a collection of emerging technologies combined with a social culture that has roots in gaming and virtual worlds. ThinkBalm has two documents available -- one focuses on defining Immersive Internet and the other is a newly released report on the "business value" of immersive Internet.
Interesting concepts and looks like a tool with great potential for libraries.... let's hear your thoughts!