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Weekly Tips

Library Management, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips: Research & Statistics
March 1st, 2007 | Permalink | Comments Off
Keeping up with research in the library world and doing your own research for your library will help you keep up with trends.

Monitor what’s happening in the field and make decisions about how to move forward using available data.

Start at WebJunction?s Research and Statistics Page. Among the resources you will find there are:
- Toward Equality of Access: This report explores the role of libraries in addressing the digital divide.
- Public Libraries Keep Communities Connected: Take a look at this independent evaluation of the Gates U.S. Library Program.
- Libraries: How they stack Up: A report from OCLC on the economic impact of libraries.
Another study to peruse is Public Libraries and the Internet, recently published by the Information Use Management & Policy Institute of Florida State University Study

Begin doing your own research by:
- Comparing your library to others using the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data
- Taking a look at this Online Directory, organized by state, of Public Library Statistics
- Using the Library Research Service to help generate specific statistics
For additional information about research check out Basic Research Methods for Librarians by Ronald R. Powell and Lynn Silipigni Connaway. Search for this item in a library near you with Worldcat.

Past Tips:
- Go Digital
- Understand Your Library’s Impact, Then Advocate!
- View all our past tips here
To receive notification of new tips each week via email, sign up here!
Advocacy, Library Management, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips 14 February 2007
February 14th, 2007 | Permalink | Comments Off
Understand Your Library’s Impact, then Advocat e

Everyone working in libraries knows that libraries are vital to their
communities.

The trick is to remind decision makers of your library’s value.

The following resources can help you tell your library’s story of
community contribution and may give you ideas for making an even
greater impact.

Making Cities Stronger, a recent report from the Urban Libraries Council,
outlines the four major ways libraries contribute to their communities,
as they provide:

* A physical space that contributes to a vibrant community
* Early literacy and school readiness programs
* Employment information and access to technology.
* Resources and support for small businesses

Keeping Your Community Connected, a free DVD recently released by The
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, tells the report’s story in pictures and
voices–order it for use as an advocacy piece as you talk to decision makers.

More advocacy resources on WebJunction:

* Show Them What You’re Worth, a recorded webinar
* Who Needs The Public Library video and how-to

Past Tips:
- Open Source Software Can Provide a Low-cost Alternative
- Friends of the Library
- View all our past tips here
Library Management, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips 6 February 2007
February 6th, 2007 | Permalink | Comments Off

Friends of the Library

Everyone needs a friend, including the library. Let community members know that this is a valuable opportunity for them and they have lots of great resources available. The following information will help anyone become a good Friend:

Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA) provides resources, services, and networking opportunities for Friends, Trustees, and Foundations across the country. Some highlights include:

* Good Ideas from the FOLUSA Network on book sales, fundraising, membership, programs and projects
* Grants and Awards which Friends groups, library, and associate members can apply for
* Advocacy Checklist

Friends resources on WebJunction:

* Friends and Trustees: Resources for setting up and running effective Library Trustees and Friends of the Library groups.
* Find out how setting up a Friends of the Library Group can help your library obtain substantial discounts on hardware and software.
* Check out this Handbook for Connecticut Library Friends for additional inspiration.
* Add to the Friends Groups Help with Fundraising Discussion Forum.

Tell us what you think–take our poll:
The most important thing a Friends group does for a library is…

Past Tips:

* Conversion Software Makes it Easy to Create Self-Paced Tutorials
* Difficult Patron Behaviors
* View all our past tips here
Library Management, Tech, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips 1 February 2007
February 1st, 2007 | Permalink | Comments Off
Open Source Software Provides a Low-cost Alternative
January 31, 2007

Open source software is hot right now! More and more libraries are looking to these applications as a low-cost way to get things done.

Three examples of large-scale open source library projects:
- Evergreen is an open source ILS developed by the Georgia Public Library Service. Read more in this recent LJ article.
- Howard County Library created a customized version of Linux for library use on staff and public computers.
- Info Island on Second Life (which is all open source) is a virtual library providing services to Second Life residents.
Or, maybe you’re just looking for an alternative to a single application. Here are a few resources for free software (open source or freeware) that will work well, without the risk of crashing your system:
- Do you know what you need to do, but don’t know whether there’s open source/freeware available? Check out the lists at eConsultant.
- These sites offer a variety of commonly useful applications: Starving students and TTCS.
Want to learn even more? Check out the open source pathfinder on WebJunction

Drawing Winner

Congratulations to Doreen Hannon of the Salem-South Lyon District Library. She won the drawing associated with our recent survey and is now the proud owner of a stainless steel WebJunction mug!

Past Tips:
- Be prepared to talk about your library (or yourself)
- Tough Questions
- View all the past tips here.
Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips 23 January 2007
January 23rd, 2007 | Permalink | Comments Off
This Week’s Tip: Prepare for Change!

We’re updating the tips based on feedback from our recent survey and data from our site traffic logs. Many thanks to our survey respondents–we’ve already contacted the drawing winner!

Based on your feedback, we’ll be:

*Focusing the tips on library management and technology and bringing you more examples.

*Experimenting with format–many survey respondents wanted to see the full tip in the e-mail/blog post.

*Ensuring that e-mail links to the tips will direct you to the correct place, even after that tip’s week has passed.

We also know you are all doing amazing things that should be shared–this is a great platform. Consider guest writing some tips, or send us examples of how you’re overcoming tech/managment challenges.
For more information, e-mail us at content@webjunction.org.

And finally, due to the impending changes, last week’s tips will be around one more week:
- Conversion Software Makes it Easy to Create Self-Paced Tutorials
- Difficult Patron Behaviors
- View all our past tips here
Library Management, Online Learning, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips 17 January 2007
January 17th, 2007 | Permalink | Comments Off

Conversion Software Makes it Easy to Create Self-Paced Tutorials

Want to make face-to-face training material available long after the training is over? Create self-paced tutorials by converting PowerPoints to Flash files.

Difficult Patron Behaviors

Are unruly patrons ruling your library? Become inspired to take back the reigns with these ideas from other WebJunction members.

Let Us Know What You Think

Give us feedback about the tips (and enter to win a super-cool WebJunction stainless steel mug) by taking our short survey!
Library Management, Online Learning, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips 9 January 2007
January 9th, 2007 | Permalink | Comments Off

Be Prepared To Talk About Your Library (Or Yourself)

Practice makes perfect when you need to communicate your value to library stakeholders or prospective employers.

Tough Questions

We can’t all be legal or medical experts but we can provide patrons with authoritative resources. Check out this advice for when you are asked a tough question.

Let Us Know What You Think

Give us feedback about the tips (and enter to win a super-cool WebJunction stainless steel mug) by taking our short survey!
Library Management, Online Learning, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips–2 January 2006
January 2nd, 2007 | Permalink | Comments Off
Staying Connected Professionally | Stress Management in Action
- What’s going on outside of your own library? Take a look and get connected to your colleagues and peers for great ideas about how to make your library better and your work easier.
- Was managing stress one of your resolutions for 2007? Share your tactics for tackling this problem, or make good on your resolution by taking an online course in Stress Management .
Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips�18 December 06
December 19th, 2006 | Permalink | Comments Off
Securing Technology | Reverse Mentoring: Learn from LIS students
- How secure are your public access computers? Have you tried the free MS Shared Computer Toolkit? Take a look!
- Want a new perspective on hot social issues facing libraries? Read the current issue of Post-Tracks, with articles written by current LIS students.
Library Management, Online Learning, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips-11 December 06
December 11th, 2006 | Permalink | Comments Off
Space Planning | Mentoring is for Everyone
- Reorganizing? Rebuilding? Restructuring? Don?t jump in without taking a look at these space planning resources.
- Mentoring can provide many benefits to your library workplace. Discover some of them in the Mentoring section on WebJunction.
Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips–4 December 06
December 4th, 2006 | Permalink | Comments Off
Market Your Library | Almost Free Software | E-learning Buddy System
- Think you can’t get the word out about your library’s programs on a shoestring budget? These marketing resources will change your mind.
- Tech Soup Stock for Libraries and other programs provide libraries with (almost) free software. Resources are available to help you navigate the various requirements!
- Having an e-learning buddy can provide you with the extra motivation you need as you take an online course.
Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Technology Planning, Weekly Tips
WebJunction Weekly Tips
November 28th, 2006 | Permalink | Comments Off

*Technology Planning Made Easy

Writing a technology plan doesn’t need to be hard. Use free software, like the recently upgraded TechAtlas, to make your life easier.

*Keep Your Library Sustainable

Working hard to keep a small library sustainable? You are not alone!
Resources developed through our Rural Library Sustainability Program can help.

*Setting up your learning environment

Having trouble carving out time to take a course or keep up with what’s new in the library field? Implement new strategies and you’ll be learning in no time!
Library Management, Online Learning, Social Computing, Tech, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips: Wireless Policies, e-Learning Benefits & Games
November 14th, 2006 | Permalink | Comments Off
- Does having wireless internet access mean a new policy? Here are examples from two libraries.
- We’ve all heard that e-learning is great, but what are the real benefits of pursuing online courses?
- Love it or hate it, gaming is here to stay, and some libraries have moved beyond the technology to offer gaming strategies for literacy, socialization, and more.
Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips: Job Descriptions, Difficult People Course & Tech Grant Tips
November 7th, 2006 | Permalink | Comments Off
- Writing a job description for staff in your library? Check out these samples from libraries around the country!
- Looking for ways to better handle tricky situations with co-workers or patrons? Consider signing up for our course of the month: Dealing with Difficult People.
- Want to increase you chance for a successful technology grant? Here are 10 steps that can work!
Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Weekly Tips
Weekly Tips: Sample Policies, Ongoing Learning & Library Tech Blogs
October 31st, 2006 | Permalink | Comments Off
- Use these sample policies to help update one of your library’s policies today!
- Pursue continuous learning opportunities to be happier in your current position and move forward with your career.
- Library technology blogs are a great way to keep up with what is new and hot in the library technology world.

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Weekly Tips

Library Management, Weekly Tips

Past Tips:

Advocacy, Library Management, Weekly Tips

Past Tips:

Library Management, Weekly Tips

Library Management, Tech, Weekly Tips

Open Source Software Provides a Low-cost Alternative January 31, 2007

Drawing Winner

Past Tips:

Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Weekly Tips

Library Management, Online Learning, Weekly Tips

Library Management, Online Learning, Weekly Tips

Library Management, Online Learning, Weekly Tips

Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Weekly Tips

Library Management, Online Learning, Weekly Tips

Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Weekly Tips

Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Technology Planning, Weekly Tips

Library Management, Online Learning, Social Computing, Tech, Weekly Tips

Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Weekly Tips

Library Management, Online Learning, Tech, Weekly Tips

Open Source Software Provides a Low-cost Alternative
January 31, 2007