News Archive for August 2011    

As of early August, DCLS, CCLS, HER and MDT have subscribed to EBSCO MasterFile Premier and 4 subject area Reference Centers – Biography, History, Literary and Science.  You can access them from your library’s website of online resources.  MasterFile Premier gives us access to a broad range of popular and educational magazines, journals, e-books and more.  Take some time to check out the awesome new features.

Training to use the sources is available online at  http://support.ebsco.com/training/index.php  or your manager may host a special training session in the future. Sometimes it’s great to just use the resource and learn it for yourself too! 

Examples: 

-Try to use Consumer Reports from your mobile device while you are shopping and want to compare.

-Read an article on ebooks and tell your colleagues what you learned

-Do some research about social media in the workplace

-Learn about a food allergy that you or your child have

Add your own link to search results!

Check out our newest e-Resources, and Go Green with online access to your favorite magazines and articles! 

-EBSCOHost Web — MasterFile Premier:  A general database chock full of journal and magazine articles (both popular and educational), e-books, photos, e-audio books and more. Check out the popular titles, such as American Fitness, Archaeology, Consumer Reports, Consumer Reports Money Advisor, Dirt Bike, Discover, Ebony, Environment, Forbes, Golf Magazine, Hispanic, History Today, Jet, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Money, National Review, National Wildlife, Physics Today, Ranger Rick, Real Simple, Science, Sierra, Southern Living, Sports Illustrated, Sunset, Swimming World, Teen Tribute, This Old House, Time for Kids, Transworld Skateboarding, U.S News and World Report, and so many more! 

-Would you like to check the complete list of magazines or see if there is a particular title? In EBSCOHost MasterFile Premier,

1. click on Publications at the top of the page
2. choose MasterFile Premier (for full list) or one of the Reference Centers (for that subject list)
3. Browse or search the current publications

Help patrons get back to school with great research tools!

Use EBSCO Subject Centers . . . some very cool features – full text, audio and MP3 download features for many books and articles, links to further resources.  Save your searches, email, print, and cite your information.

-Biography Reference Center: Photos, Biography by genre (author, musician, scientist . . . ); search by name, occupation, nationality, etc.

-History Reference Center: Dictionary, Curriculum Standards, full text e-books; videos and historical images

-Literary Reference Center: Literary Glossary, Dictionary & Historical Timeline

-Science Reference Center: Dictionary, Science experiments, Curriculum Standards, browse by subject area

Need help finding what you need?  Call ESA Reference at 717-652-9380 option 4, email or text askalibrarian@dcls.org and Angela, Ann Marie, Ariel, Diane, Kim, Moriah or Ann will be glad to assist!  As always, if you have questions, suggestions or feedback, let us know.

E-books:  EBSCO also has ebooks!  (The Netlibrary links from POWERLibrary were changed to EBSCO ebooks.)  These aren’t the kind that easily download to devices, but they can be emailed in pdf format for use on the go.  The collection contains lots of titles for reference and titles that will be great for some school research. 

iPhone Application :  The free iPhone app allows iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users to search premium EBSCOhost database content while on the go.  Have a research assistant with you on your mobile and use it to email or share helpful articles to your customers, colleagues or business associates and partners.
It’s easy to get, but you MUST: Click the link at the bottom of any EBSCOhost page, and then email yourself the key to the app, open the email on your device and get started.

8/25/11 – 6:22 a.m.

History was made.

In my near 17 years of service as the delivery driver for DCLS, I have never had this happen to me. Quite frankly, I never saw it coming.

It started like any normal delivery on a Thursday. The loading process at ESA went smoothly as books were packed into crates and flat boxes were stacked on the van shelf for transport.

I climbed into the van and started towards MRL. I took a moment to glance towards the heavens and saw storm clouds rolling in and out. I managed to catch all the green lights and arrived at the fabulous Front & Walnut facility in just under fifteen minutes. (Yes, you can time the lights while maintaining  the speed limit and arrive in under fifteen minutes. I think it’s in a manual somewhere)

I bounced into the administration level and sorted the various routing envelopes. I moved back the hallway and greeted my friend, Lori, before proceeding to the delivery shelves.

And then it happened. One of those “where were you when this happened moments”.  I staggered for a moment before regaining my footing. I stared at the LONE item on the delivery shelf….

A ten-count box of Swiffer refills, with the initials EV etched in black marker on the side.

I have dealt with shelves that had nothing but cobwebs growing on them and shelves that were packed with so many materials, it would make UPS envious. But I have never had a shelves that featured a solitary cleaning item on them. Until today.

I know what you are saying right now. “Annette, how could you handle that? It seems excessive.”

Believe me, my first reaction was kinda like Luke Skywalker learning that Darth was his daddy Daddy issues .

But I have broad shoulders and a growing waistline, so I quickly rallied myself to the task at hand. I gently lifted the little box off the shelf and cradled it in my hands. I kissed it like Timmy Thomas kissed the Stanley Cup this past June and placed it gingerly in the Elizabethville crate. It seemed to stand out amongst its bookish brethren, but that was okay.

The Swiffer ten-count box was delivered to E.V. later that morning with very little fanfare. As I walked to the door, I took a moment to glance back at the little box. Was that a tear I saw trickling down from it’s flap?

NEXT TIME: CAPTAIN AMERICA’S NEWEST ASSIGNMENT

HERSHEY PUBLIC LIBRARY POSITION AVAILABLE
( available immediately)

POSTION INFORMATION
Title of Vacant Position: Library Assistant

Hourly Wage or Range: $10.92

Approximate Hours per week:20-25

Job Responsibility:
Circulation (20-25 hours/week, including weekday hours and one weekday evening per week)
Uses a computerized library automated system for checking materials out and in, registering patrons, managing patron holds, and searching the library’s online catalog.
Gives directional assistance to patrons and informs patrons about library and district library circulation policies and procedures.
Collects monies for fines, and other services.
Unloads book drops; picks up misplaced or mis-shelved library items for proper shelving; returns materials to shelves, keeps shelves in order.
Registers customers for cards. Answers and directs telephone calls. Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Skill: Graduation from high school or GED, 2 years of college, university or vocational education preferred. Library experience or working in public service desirable.
Ability to interact pleasantly, constructively and cooperatively with library patrons and staff. Ability to serve the public in busy situations in a calm and courteous manner. Computer competency in Microsoft Office .

Deadline for Application: September 9

Contact Person: Chris Gawron, 533-6555 ext. 3710 or Barbara Ellis ext. 3715

Applications are available at the Township of Derry website, www.derrytownshp.org or at the Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Ave, Hershey, PA. 17033

Return applications to the Hershey Public Library as soon as possible

Friday, September 16, 2011  ~  Harrisburg East Holiday Inn
4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA
8:45am – 3:00pm
Registration: $50 – includes continental breakfast and lunch

Learn more about this event or register on their website: http://akaepsilonsigmaomega.com/iay-agenda.htm

Three library board members from DCLS are either presenting or organizing.

Register to attend an important online conference about ebooks:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/digitalshift

Ebooks the New Normal: How Libraries are Leveraging the Ebook Opportunity will take place on October 12, 2011.   Learn more at the website for the conference: http://www.thedigitalshift.com/events/e-book-summit/faq/

The Capital Area Library District has purchased a site license for this event, so if you want to watch in a group, let your supervisor know and we’ll set you up with the viewing location information, tentatively set for AFL. 

Registration and more information is below:
The District purchased a site license so librarians from our area can gather in one room to enjoy the virtual conference for thedigitalshift

What: Ebook Summit: The Digital Shift This event will bring together librarians, vendors and publishers, and industry experts and offers keynote presentations as well as three tracks designed for public, academic, and K-12 libraries to discuss how libraries are leveraging the ebook opportunity to improve service and reach more users than ever before.

When: Wednesday October 12, 10am – 6pm EDT. The room will be open at 10a.m. for orientation, setup and local discussion. 11a.m. is the first official “presentation” of the day. Breaks occur throughout the day and discussions will be held. Drop in for any part you can attend. Here’s the program: www.thedigitalshift.com/events/e-book-summit/program/

Where: AFL (in Hummelstown, PA) Need directions: Click here

Who Should Attend: ANYONE working for a library interested in learning about ebooks should attend. The speakers are well known professionals with lots of good information and we’ll have some great local discussions. Invite your professional network of school or college librarians to tag along with you too.

Why?: The program is full of exciting content and ideas for the future of digital items for libraries of all types. Find your digital inspiration! How much does it cost?: This virtual conference event is FREE for staff and invited guests of the Capital Area Library District. The district purchased a site license for us. We’ll be watching it together as a group and can discuss things during breaks.

Will I get CE Credits?: Attendees can report 5 hours of CE credits for attending this day. If you can’t attend the whole day, feel free to drop by the classroom at any time to join the discussion. You’ll get CE credits for active time spent in class.

Will you feed me?: Brown Bags are encouraged; bring your own lunch or choose to bring a snack to share. At AFL, there is a very small place to keep foods refrigerated for the day as needed.

Rolling through to a library in our region near you is a very cool traveling exhibit open on August 9 and 10.

Learn more about it or take a trip to see it at the Manheim Township Library.

One Book One Community materials for 2011 should have arrived at your library.  

Attend the Kickoff Event on August 24! 

See a press release from another library in the Capital Region here:  Press Release

Gift of Life participated in PALA’s 2010 Annual Conference as an exhibitor.  In followup, they are encouraging libraries in PA to be partners in the Donate Life Campaign in April 2011.

The Gift of Life Donor Program sent our district library center a packet of resource materials with stickers, bookmarks, and informational handouts.  They have additional materials for distribution and a list of educational speakers who could host a community program (30-45 minutes long with 15 minutes for Q&A) for your library with a long list of suggested topics.  Presenters are often accompanied by an organ transplant recipient or donor family member from your local community who provides an inspirational story.  ”Many in your community have a direct tie to donation and can attest to the success of organ transplantation.” 

Build healthy connections in your community: Point.  Click.  Save Lives.

If your library is interested in an educational outreach initiative to help individuals learn more about organ and tissue donation, contact the senior community outreach coordinator at 215-285-9548 or via email.

Check out all the possibilities for online training to learn more about the digital media collection offered to library customers in the Capital Area Library District via http://capitalarealibrary.lib.overdrive.com/. 

Check out an ebook today.    Do a search for ALA on the site to find ebooks from ALA Editions that are a part of the district’s Professional Collection.

I was asked to answer these questions and present them to my colleagues at a meeting at State College:
1. How you understand and define, for yourself, the role of the district consultant
2. How has that role changed for you over the years?
3. What have been your most significant challenges and achievements as a district consultant?
4. What are your goals over the next 6 months?
5. What else would you like to say about being a district consultant?

Faced with these questions, I turned to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for the answer: 42

Here are links to a few supporting source documents:
-Job Description for District Consultant
-District Promo 2011,
-Wordle: Word Cloud.

Sense of humor is critical.

Here are the slides/outline I used for the presentation.

DistrictConsultant2011hmmmSlideShow

After returning from the meeting, inspired by the words of friends, colleagues, and staff and leadership of the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, I scribbled down this Communication Plan to help me to be most organized to promote the “Getting on Board” materials that we were shown at the meeting. Communication Plan Draft.

I also wanted to give a shout out to WebJunction and wordpress. Technology tools are as good as the time and energy you put into using them. Make a valuable impact.

Let me know if you want to get involved in any of the projects that the Capital Area Library District has been working on.