Rural Library Sustainability - In Focus

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there will be a tie-in between the Gates Rural Library Sustainability Project and the 2007 conference.

As part of the project, Gates/WebJunction is offering a free montly series of webinars on topics "of importance to the work of sustaining Rural and Small libraries. The next webinar, Upgrading and Repairing the Technology in Your Library, is scheduled for 9/28/06.

There are great resources available to you at WebJunction -- check it out!

A Tip from Marian: Programs for Board Members

Encourage your board members to attend. There will be special sessions with topics of interest to board members. In the past I have found these to be very helpful that’s how I got my board to drop from 35 members to 5. It seems we didn’t know that when you appoint a new board member an old board member leaves the board, we thought only death could accomplish this.

Marian

Tips from Marian T. Librarian

to get the most out of your Rural Libraries Conference

Tip #1

Dress Casual. As someone who has attended all the conferences I SAY dress casual. The first few years I wore three inch heels and almost killed myself. “Birkies” are best but any comfortable shoe will do.

Dress in Layers. This is Michigan and at most Rural conferences the weather goes from spring to fall to winter and back to winter. I wear a cute yellow polka dot bikini, then a T-shirt, then a turtleneck and a sweater and parka. I’m prepared for everything you be too.


Marian

2007 conference committee chairs

Here are your 2007 conference committee chairs:

Awards - Sherry Mountney
Equipment & Internet - Trixie Wint
Hospitality/Local Arrangements - Holly Mercer
Program - Deb Bacon-Ziegler
Volunteers - Gayle Hazelbaker

There is still time to get involved with conference planning and on-site work. Let me know if you are interested bacon-zieglerd AT michigan DOT gov

For those of you who have already volunteered, you will soon be contacted by your committee chair.

Gates Rural Library Sustainability Program

WebJunction, a project of the Gates Foundation and OCLC, has undertaken a three-year Rural Library Sustainability project. Michigan will receive support and money to provide training to our small & rural libraries. The topic? How to better sustain and manage public access computing. Follow this link for full details.

The reason I mention this program is that the training portion will dovetail with RLC 2007 and the grant funds will allow us to offer special conference programming and benefits. Stay tuned for further details.

-Deb

Don't Be Afraid

As you consider using Web 2.0 applications in your library, you will encounter those who are nervous/afraid/opposed to social software. Read this ALA TechSource blog post for reassurance & inspiration.

Speaking of Flickr, you will enjoy Rural Library Director's jobs. Check it out and then pat yourself on the back (or go out for a really, really big margarita).

Web 2.0

Library 2.0 is driven by Web 2.0 and, to be honest, wrapping your head around "2.0" is something of a challenge. At its core, 2.0 is about relationships and a rich user experience. Web 2.0 sites like Flickr, Writely, Wikipedia, Squidoo, MySpace, del.icio.us, and many, many more allow users to collaborate & share online.

What does Web 2.0 mean for libraries? How does "your library 2.0" work? Read on...

What is Web 2.0 by Tim O'Reilly
Web 2.0 from Wikipedia
Addressing the Permanence Issue at www.blyberg.net
Social Software from Wikipedia
Library 2.0 in three easy steps Squidoo lens by Steve Wilson
Library 2.0 Reading List Squidoo lens by Jenny Levine & Michael Stephens

Personally, I am most excited by the fact that Web 2.0 levels the playing field. A tiny library can create a del.icio.us account and maintain an amazing list of annotated web resources. That list can then be shared with patrons as part of the library's reference collection. Photos of a library building project can be organized and shared via a Flickr account. Bookmark Writely on your public access computers and your patrons have a web-based word processor. Use instant messaging for free, virtual reference service. Create a library blog.

What are YOU doing with Web 2.0?