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April 30, 2009

World Languages Info Fair

The World Languages Networking Group produced a lively and well-attended Info Fair at NSLS on April 28. Staff from area public libraries available to share a variety of info and services, including ELL/ESL services; programming for adults and/or children – either bi-lingual or in target languages entirely; online presence for the non-English-speaking community — websites, wikis, etc.; collection-building for adults and children in other languages. Congrats and thank you!

posted by Judy H. at 3:52 pm | Comments (0)

April 21, 2009

Joan Frye Williams and George Needham

Library futurists (new name, anyone?) Joan Frye Williams and George Needham presented two high energy, mind expanding, and thoroughly entertaining programs at NSLS today. A couple times I was sure they were going to break into song (“Library Psychics: The Musical”?). In addition to the program content, I marveled that they seemed as energized and clear-eyed at 4 pm as they were when they started at 9 am. Be sure to catch their show the next time they play at a system or conference near you.

posted by Judy H. at 7:16 pm | Comments (0)

April 16, 2009

An invitation to share your green ideas.

We’ve created a new CoP focusing on sharing ideas and best practices for your green initiatives.

posted by Christina at 1:37 pm | Comments (0)

April 14, 2009

Happy Library Workers Day!

Your contribution to your library and libraries in Illinois makes it possible for the people of Illinois to have great library service.  The staff of the Illinois Library Systems want to celebrate and thank you for all of your efforts.

posted by Christina at 9:49 am | Comments (0)

April 13, 2009

Computers in Libraries – Part 2

One of the more interesting sessions I attended at CIL, was Building Community Partnerships: 25 Ideas in 40 Minutes presented by Kathy Dempsey.  She is the editor of Marketing Library Services newsletter, as well as a recognized speaker and blogger on the subject of marketing.  In her 45 minute presentation, she threw out some great ideas on reaching the community.  Here are just a few of her ideas:

• Join with Scout troups and other youth organizations
• Form alliances with videogame stores, skateboard shops, and arcades
• Work with senior citizen centers to give them meaningful projects that also benefit the library
• Help local reports with their research and make sure they know you can fill their just-in-time research needs

I highly encourage you to check out the other 21 ideas!

posted by Debbie at 1:27 pm | Comments (0)

April 2, 2009

Computers in Libraries

I just returned from Computers in Libraries in Washington D.C.  This was my first experience with the conference.  I had attended the sister conference, Internet Librarian which I really enjoyed, so I was looking forward to this adventure.  I was particularly impressed with the 3 keynote speakers.  Lee Raine, Director, Pew Internet and and American Life Project was the opening keynote.  He talked about their latest study, Friending Libraries: The newest nodes in people’s social networks.  He discussed the latest findings and suggested how libraries might be able to play more of an active role in people’s social networks.

The 2nd keynote speaker was an interview with Paul Holdengraber, Director of Public Relations at the New York Public Library.  What an interesting man!  He talked about how he was hired to oxygenate the NYPL.  He is the founder, creator, originator of “LIVE from NYPL” where they have public debates, performances, interviews with world-renowned people.  He believes in making the library irrisistable by its programming.

The final keynote was Michael Edson, Director of Web and New Media Strategy, Smithsonian Institution.  Michael discussed his vision of a Smithsonian Commons, where content, services, and tools could be given to the world digitally and for free.  Michael does an amazing job of describing his vision.  I highly recommend checking out his paper and slides of his presentation.

I’m exhausted just thinking of the keynotes.  I’ll post separately about some of the sessions I attended.

If you attended the conference and would like to share your experience, please feel free to post a comment.

posted by Debbie at 12:07 pm | Comments (2)