Category: General    

Claudia K from the State send a message to make everyone aware of an opportunity from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for Retirement Planning that could be presented in libraries across the state. The SSA has noticed that the Boomers are starting to file for benefits, retirement and disability, and there is an expectation that this group will want to file online. The SSA representatives in Pennsylvania are interested in doing some training at libraries that would like to schedule it for their patrons. Sometimes, especially in more remote parts of the state, it is harder for people to get to the closest Social Security Office, but they could get to their library more easily.

These sessions would be in two parts. One part would be informational training on SSA services (about 30 minutes) and the second part of the session is to have patrons use the library computers to file their claims online during the training. An SSA representative would be there to answer questions and provide guidance while people file claims or do online retirement planning. The total time for the program would be what is considered reasonable for that particular library with follow up sessions as needed.

Below is the contact for the SSA representatives in our area. If any library is interested in have these training sessions at the library, please contact:
Sherra Zavitsanos, South Central PA; 717-782-3993, Sherra.Zavitsanos@ssa.gov

Adapted from original message from: Claudia Koenig, Outreach Advisor, Office of Commonwealth Libraries

The North Central Library District Youth Services Summit 2008 will be held on Friday April 11, 2008 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the James V. Brown Library in Williamsport, PA.

Please see the attached brochure for all of the exciting details!
Youth Services Summit 2008

Please send registration and payment to:
Jeffrey Swope
James V. Brown Library
19 E. 4th St.
Williamsport, PA 17701

Registration deadline: Friday, April 4th

If you missed the District Library Meeting last week, never fear, your chance to read the notes and participate virtually is here.

Read the detailed notes from the meeting here: dlmnotesonagenda22008her.doc

This is YOUR CHANCE for easy input into the district negotiation process. If you DID NOT attend, please fill out the same survey that those in attendance took time to do here: Link to Negotation Survey. The results will be used in annual district negotiations. It is a chance, as well, to give your feedback about Netlibrary/Recorded Books e-audio and other electronic resources the district purchases.

These are attachments about live search that were distributed at the meeting:
live_search.ppt
live_search_urls_outside-of-library_updated.xls

To print a copy of the district library directory: Directory Link.

Check out this article from Library Journal: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6525984.html

The article cites a British study that tells librarians that we have a big responsibility to combat “impatience in search and navigation and zero tolerance for any delay in satisfying [their] information needs.”

Think about what your library can do to help combat this problem. In what areas do you see this with your Google searchers? How might federated searching hurt or help this phenomenon? Leave comments here if you have good ideas…

This is a reminder that you may register for the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Pre-Application Webinar at www.pdewebinars.org.

This free webinar will be held from 9:30 to 11:30am on January 31st.

Two continuing education credits are available to those who participate.

Municipal contacts, board members, grant writers and librarians are all encouraged to register for the webinar if you are considering an application in 2008. If you have already attended a Keystone workshop in person, you may find the webinar a good refresher.

You are also encouraged to sign up for the Keystone Frequently Asked Questions email group. This group is open to all.

The emails will address questions you may have and will assist in the preparation of a Keystone application.

If you would like to join the Keystone Frequently Asked Question email group, please send an email to dmegdad@state.pa.us.

Heed the words of advice below before sending emails.

Email - Ask these questions before pressing “Send”

• Does this e-mail message make sense? Are the actions clear and do they have owners?
• Does the e-mail message meet the MPS P.A.S.S test?
  1. What is the Purpose of this communication?
  2. What Action is involved and does it have a due date?
  3. What Supporting information does the recipient need?
  4. Has the communication been effectively summarized in the Subject line?
• Is the message well-written? Is it concise while providing enough data for action to be taken or decisions made?
• Do the links in the message work? Are the attachments included?
• Is the e-mail message being sent to the correct recipients (not too many and not too few)?
• Does everyone on the To line have an action to take?
• Has the message been checked for grammar, spelling, and use of jargon?