September 2007

In this aliaPUBNEWS broadcast:

International
Training Program for Library Staff; Students’ ‘Evolving’ Use of Technology; Online Access to employment and education; USB 3 - what will this mean for public libraries?; Management for a 2.0 Library

National
@ your library radio plays; dreaming 08 - ALIA 2008 Biennial Conference; Music Australia; Pictures Australia - New Look and Feel; Create Your Own Search Engine

Policy and advocacy
Banned Book Week; Online Filtering (the story continues...)

Conferences
ALIA National Library & Information Technicians Conference 2007

Celebrating Libraries and Librarians
Medieval Tech Helpdesk

Public Libraries Australia
PLA Website Survey; PLA News - September 2007

Believe it or Not!
Buy One Get One Free

International

Training Program for Library Staff
Public Library Association PLA (USA) receives Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant to help public libraries build skills and experience needed to increase local support and funding. $7.7 million grant will fund national training program for library staff and supporters (Washington, D.C.) – Susan Hildreth, president of the Public Library Association (PLA) announced during the 2007 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. (June 2007) that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded PLA a $7.7 million grant to develop and provide a national advocacy training program for public librarians over the next three years. Research shows that the public is often unaware of the contributions libraries and librarians make to the health and vitality of their communities. As a result, libraries—which receive more than 80 percent of their funding from local sources—are often overlooked when scarce state, and local financing are allocated among critical services in a community. To help library staff and supporters counter this trend, PLA’s training program will provide librarians with the skills and resources necessary to seek increased funding, create community partnerships, and build alliances with local and regional decision makers. The training will support libraries that are eligible to receive Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online hardware grants, which require grantees to match foundation funds with local dollars. It will also be available to non-grantees on a limited basis. “It is imperative that all librarians and library supporters learn to position their public library as an essential community resource in ways that resonate with local stakeholders and result in increased local funding,” said Jill Nishi, program manager of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s U.S. Libraries initiative. “This professional development program will give people the skills they need to channel their passion and commitment to libraries into strategic community outreach and communications.” The training will be offered in sites around the country for Gates Foundation grantees, as well as online and during the PLA National Conference and the PLA Spring Symposium. Foundation grantees will be encouraged to send teams of up to three people to the locally customized training where they will learn about and create advocacy plans grounded in the reality of their local, political and economic environment. Each participant will also receive the PLA publication Libraries Prosper with Passion, Purpose and Persuasion: A PLA Toolkit for Success, which will provide them with step-by-step instructions for implementing their advocacy plan. Finally, the training will include access to an online community, which will provide original content, managed discussions and ongoing support for libraries engaged in local campaigns to build public support and funding. “As outlined in PLA’s strategic plan, advocacy is a priority for our organization,” said Hildreth. “Thanks to the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we will be able to reach thousands of librarians with the training they need to build the skills and confidence necessary to effectively advocate for increased public funding for their libraries.” For more information about PLA, visit PLA’s Web site at www.pla.org <http://www.pla.org> or contact the PLA office at 800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or PLA is a division of the American Library Association. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services. Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people -- especially those with the fewest resources -- have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. More information is available at: www.gatesfoundation.org
http://www.gatesfoundation.org

Students’ ‘Evolving’ Use of Technology
Even though this article is from the USA it contains some useful information and insights into how students are using technology. Click on the link below to read the article.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/09/17/it

Online Access to employment and education
Public libraries are sole source of online employment and education information for millions of Americans. Internet use at public libraries flourishes but technical, financial support lags. ALA article extract: Libraries offer a range of support to job seekers including assistance searching for jobs, technology training, writing résumés and cover letters, filling out online job applications, and establishing e-mail accounts so they can monitor the status of their applications. "Today's public libraries are thriving technology hubs that millions rely on for their first or only choice for Internet access," said ALA President Loriene Roy. "I often hear from library staff that more and more users are turning to the library for help with online employment applications. One thing is clear: in order for our public libraries to continue to meet the changing needs of our communities and to expand services, we must invest in facilities and staffing that can support technology for all." Nearly 100 percent of public libraries offer free public access to the Internet. However, despite increased patron demand for technology services, libraries have not seen a corresponding increase in their budgets. As a result, many libraries are challenged to provide enough computers or fast-enough connection speeds to meet community need. In fact, more than 58 percent of libraries reported that they have no plans to add computers in the coming year; less than half (46 percent) plan to replace computers. Internet access speeds are inadequate for a majority of libraries (52 percent). For the full article click on the link below:
ttp://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=News&template=/ContentManagement

USB 3 - what will this mean for public libraries?
The high speed of USB 3 means that large media files can be transferred quite quickly. How quickly? Well, 4.8 gigabits per second theoretically could transfer 600 MB per second -- which is about as much data as you'll find on a CD-ROM. Network overhead will cut back the effective speed transfer to less than 4.8 gigabits per second, but even at half the rate, that's still plenty fast. To read more click on the link below:
http://blogs.pcworld.com/communityvoices/archives/2007/09/what_will_usb_3.h

Management for a 2.0 Library
Is there a digital divide in your library, not just for customers, but for staff? Are innovation and risk organizational values or ... not so much? Check out this podcast from the from the SirsiDynix Institute: Dump the Org. Chart: Get `Er Done!: Management for a 2.0 Library
http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/seminar_page.php?sid=94

National

@ your library radio plays
QPLA was successful in securing an $80 000 Library Board of Queensland Strategic Development Grant to produce and deliver @ your library promotional material and radio advertising to libraries throughout Queensland. The radio skits were recorded by well-known personality Robyn Moore (the voice of Blinky Bill, an inspiring public speaker and a library lover) and her son. The skits use the @ your library tag line and humour to promote the many and varied aspects of public libraries. The radio plays were broadcast through regional and metropolitan radio stations throughout Queensland last year and are now available to download from the QPLA website.
http://www.qpla.asn.au/qpla_marketing_sound.htm

dreaming 08 - ALIA 2008 Biennial Conference
The ALIA 2008 Biennial Conference will be held in Alice Springs at the modern Alice Springs Convention Centre from 2-5 September 2008. The conference is expected to attract organisations and delegates from Australia and New Zealand as well as the Asia-Pacific region. The conference theme, dreaming08, will produce a program that empowers library and information professionals in the development, promotion and delivery of quality services in all sectors. It is expected that over 500 delegates will attend the ALIA 2008 Biennial Conference. They will be drawn to the conference by a varied and stimulating program, a unique trade exhibition, a fun and different social program and by the opportunity to spend some time in a fascinating part of the country. For more information visit:
http://www.alia2008.com/

Music Australia
Add the popular Music Australia to your favourites and see how easy it is to locate resources and information about contemporary and historical Australian music, people and organisations. With its recent new design, navigation and interface, Music Australia gives users a single access point. You can listen to sound recordings or purchase digital downloads, print Australian sheet music and find full scores, and explore related materials such as pictures, books and archived websites. Finding resources on bands such as Silverchair ,currently on an Australia-wide tour, simply means entering Silverchair in the search box on the Music Australia site. You receive a host of results including where you can buy or borrow the score to their Diorama album, related books, images, websites, DVDs and almost 200 sound recordings which you can sample or purchase.
http://www.musicaustralia.org/

Pictures Australia - New Look and Feel
Over the last year a cross-disciplinary design team in the Library worked to distill ideas coming from our participating agencies, Picture Australia researchers and from a Web Expert Usability report by Nielsen Net Rating commissioned in 2006. Recommendations to improve the service included clearer navigation, relevance ranking of search results and a 'favourites' function. The redesign has factored in rigorous research on what our researchers do and don’t do on the site. All this research and consultation has been integrated into the new design. Please Contact us to tell us what you think of the new site.
http://www.pictureaustralia.org

Create Your Own Search Engine
Here's something new from Google - create your own search engine. That way you only search particular sites. And someone has already created an Australian public libraries one. Check it out at: http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=017566845249491679552:i3jc4fzho24 Click on the following link to find out more:
http://www.google.com/coop/cse/

Policy and advocacy

Banned Book Week
Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, this annual American Library Association (ALA) event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. This year, 2007, marks BBW's 26th anniversary (September 29 through October 6). BBW celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met.
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm

Online Filtering (the story continues...)
Concerns and obstacles continue for internet filtering in libraries The Australian Library and Information Association believes that the current NetAlert - Protecting Australian Families Online initiative raises significant and unresolved problems for public libraries, and for the free flow of information in our communities. Minister Coonan continues to target public libraries for 'failing' in their duty to provide standards of access that protect children from unsavoury internet content, conveniently ignoring the long-established and comprehensive policies of local governments and library services covering access to online content, our sector has always had a professional commitment to the protection of the free flow of information in our communities. There are technical difficulties that remain unresolved for the effective use of filters in networked library environments. DCITA staff has now advised that the NetAlert website will be expanded to provide information and advice for public libraries considering filtering. Currently, the NetAlert site offers no such support. If each of the 1700 public library locations in Australia were to truly enable a 'child friendly' terminal - just one each - a distinct and separate connection to those used by adults is required to enable security and software consistency to ensure 'unsuitable' content is filtered. ALIA and Public Libraries Australia estimate this would cost a minimum of $3.5m1 to achieve. In terms of the $189m spend on the NetAlert - Protecting Australian Families Online program, this is a very small amount of money. But it is money that public libraries and local governments do not have. ALIA has repeatedly contacted the Department of Communication, Information and the Arts and the Minister to highlight issues surrounding the use of internet filters in public libraries. While ALIA supports the home PC filtering initiative, and remains willing to work with the Department to develop solutions for public libraries within the framework of our policies on online content regulation, at present the Association believes the current NetAlert - Protecting Australian Families Online initiative raises significant problems for public libraries and also risks endangering the free flow of information in our communities. The Association is collating a background briefing document covering regulation and technical concerns with internet filtering. This document will be made available via the ALIA website shortly. ALIA's policy on online content and regulation, and related documents are available
http://www.alia.org.au/advocacy/internet.access/

Conferences

ALIA National Library & Information Technicians Conference 2007
There is still time to register for the conference to be held from 9-12 October 2007 at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne. The conference will provide a forum for professional networking and socialising among national and international participants. Delegates will learn about the latest trends and developments for libraries, share the expertise, experience, and knowledge of the invited eminent speakers and update themselves on new products and services from the trade and publishing worlds. The conference program encompasses the daily themes of Innovation, Initiation and Inspiration. To register:
https://www.icms.com.au/alia07/register/

Celebrating Libraries and Librarians

Medieval Tech Helpdesk
For those who haven't seen this VERY funny video click on the link below.
http://morphedlibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/04/funny-library-technology-video

Public Libraries Australia

PLA Website Survey
Public Libraries Australia is redeveloping its web presence and is seeking input from members and other interested people. Anyone wishing to provide input should complete the PLA web survey by clicking on the link below or by copying and pasting the link into their web browser. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The survey will close at 6pm Thursday 1 November 2007 with results published in the December edition of PLA News. A link to this survey will also be placed on the PLA web page shortly. Please let your colleagues know about this survey by forwarding them this message as both members and potential members are welcome to complete this survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=jk1UZk8zIFT_2fMOd0GP7oOw_3d_3d

PLA News - September 2007
The September edition of the quarterly Public Libraries Australia News is now available. Click the link below to download your copy:
http://www.pla.org.au/documents/media_release/PLANews_Sept_07.pdf

Believe it or Not!

Buy One Get One Free
The green plastic XO computer, created by Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Nicholas Negroponte, is designed to withstand searing heat, freezing cold, and the harsh conditions of far-flung villages. It can also be charged with a solar panel or hand crank, so kids who live in thatched huts can use it. But, for two weeks, starting November 12, Negroponte hopes that kids all over America will get the low-cost laptop — and give one at the same time. It's part of a new campaign called "Give 1 Get 1," designed to help kick-start a very ambitious goal for the nonprofit foundation he created, called One Laptop Per Child — to put laptops in the hands of every child in the developing world. "For $399, Americans will have the opportunity to buy one of these laptops. But, when they do that, it also generates a laptop for a kid in Africa, or a kid in Peru, or a kid in Cambodia," Negroponte told ABC News. "Laptops can help kids learn … The goal is for every single child in the entire world to have the opportunity to learn.
http://www.laptop.org

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