1. BadgerLink Update: New features in EBSCOhost
2. Free Webinar offers practical techniques for supporting public computing
3. Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference
4. DPI staff members meet with educators from Jordan
5. Free radio public service announcements available for Library Card Sign-up Month
6. Website of the Week - National Park Service
7. Calendar
1. BADGERLINK UPDATE: NEW FEATURES IN EBSCOHOST
EBSCOhost has a "New Features!" link in the upper right hand corner of the main database list page. By clicking on "New Features!" a user can read about features that have just been implemented and try out features that
will soon be implemented. For a new feature that is now available, a
description and screen shots are provided. After reading about the feature, a user can try out the feature using EBSCOhost.
For a feature that is planned but has not yet been implemented a "Try it" box will be provided. By checking the "Try it" box, the user is provided the opportunity to see how the feature will work.
When using EBSCOhost, check this section from time to time to see what new features are coming before they are implemented. Or if while using EBSCOhost, you find a new feature, this is a good place to get an
explanation of it.
EBSCOhost 508 Accessibility
EBSCOhost now exceeds Web 508 accessibility standards with improved page orientation and navigation. Visually and physically impaired users can utilize the features of EBSCOhost and all EBSCOhost users also benefit from the modifications. Some of the enhancements this brings include: easier navigation when using screen readers, alternative text image descriptions, Web browser text size control, tables with content descriptions, forms which can be read by screen reader programs, and minimal use of images that represent navigation.
2. FREE WEBINAR OFFERS PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR SUPPORTING PUBLIC COMPUTING
Each month the Rural Library Sustainability Project presents an hour-long webinar related to the work of sustaining rural and small libraries. This month on August 23, at 1:00 pm the topic will be "You can do it! Practical techniques for supporting public computing." The session will cover how small, rural libraries are meeting the challenges of providing access to public computers, including pooling resources, developing technology plans, and staff training. An overview of The Joy of Computing Cookbook for small and rural libraries at http://www.maintainitproject.org will be included. The webinars offer interactive training through a connected microphone or a separate phone connection. More information on joining the webinar in addition to archives of past webinars can be found at Rural In Focus http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=13496.
3. ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL AND SMALL LIBRARIES CONFERENCE
In cooperation with the Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (http://arsl.clarion.edu/) will hold its annual conference September 26-28 in Columbus, Ohio. The mission of the Association is to provide a network of people and materials to support rural and small library staff, volunteers, and trustees to integrate the library thoroughly with the life and work of the community it serves. This affordable conference features notable speakers including Librarian of the Year Mary Baykan, and Stephen Abram, Vice President of Innovation, Sirsi/Dynix. Breakout sessions will cover a variety of topics, including Forum for American Indian librarians, technology, WebJunction, staffing, bookmobiles, trustees, customer service, marketing and more. For the conference agenda and registration details, visit the Association of Rural and Small Libraries 2007 Annual Conference website: http://www.bcr.org/ARSL/index.html.
4. DPI STAFF MEMBERS MEET WITH EDUCATORS FROM JORDAN
Richard Grobschmidt, Assistant State Superintendent for the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning (DLTCL), and Stuart Ciske, education consultant with the DLTCL's Instructional Media and Technology Team, along with Gerhard Fischer, education consultant for the Division for Academic Excellence's Content and Learning team, met with six Jordanian educators on Monday, August 13, to discuss the use of technology and learning in both countries. The educators were in Madison for the 23rd Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning Held August 8-10 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. The visiting educators, from the Jordanian cities of Amman, Zarqa, Irbid, and Karak, were primarily interested in developing infrastructure and potential uses for distance education as tools for educational reform in their home country. Other topics discussed were the use of distance learning to teach foreign languages, teacher preparation, and curricular integration. The goal of Jordan's education reform program is to re-orient education policy, restructure education programs and practices, improve physical learning environments, and promote learning readiness. The visit was arranged by United States Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. This program is arranged by the Academy for Educational Development.
5. FREE RADIO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE FOR LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH
The American Library Association (ALA) announces the release of five new radio public service announcements (PSAs) that are now available to help libraries promote Library Card Sign-up Month in September and the library card as the "Smartest Card in Your Wallet." The PSAs can be downloaded for free at http://www.ala.org/librarycardsignup and are available in 10, 15 and 30-second MP3 formats. Libraries are encouraged to share the PSAs with local radio stations. Other free tools include sample press materials, a list of "52 Ways to Use Your Library Card," and "Smartest Card" logos. Press materials and "Smartest Card" logos are available in both English and Spanish. Examples from libraries that have used giant "Smartest Cards" in photo opportunities also appear on the Web page.
Libraries are encouraged to let the ALA Public Information Office know how they are celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month. Visit http://www.ala.org/librarycardsignup and click on "Share your story. The strongest examples will be shared as part of ALA's national media relations efforts.
Observed in the month of September since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month is a time when ALA and libraries across the county remind parents and kids that a library card is the most important school supply of all.
6. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
National Park Service -- http://www.nps.gov/ -- The National Park Service home page allows each of the country's 390 NPS units to be searched by name, location, topic, or activity. Each park's expanded website contains park trivia, updated information, and enhanced multimedia including video and graphics. Several parks have live web cams constantly displaying significant features such as the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
7. CALENDAR
September 7, 2007 - Public Library System Annual Meeting, Madison
September 14, 2007 - Council on Library and Network Development meeting, Hayward
September 25, 2007 - Instructional Media and Technology regional meeting, Rice Lake
October 2, 2007 - Instructional Media and Technology regional meeting, Appleton
October 5, 2007 - System Youth Services Liaisons annual meeting, Monona
October 9, 2007 - Instructional Media and Technology regional meeting, Waukesha
October 12, 2007 - Instructional Media and Technology regional meeting, Wisconsin Dells
October 12, 2007 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee meeting, Madison
October 16-19, 2007 - Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference, Green Bay
November 9, 2007 - Council on Library and Network Development meeting, location to be announced
November 14-15, 2007 - Library Services and Technology Act Advisory Committee meeting, Madison
For more details about these and other meetings, see the WISDOM calendar at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/wisdom.html and the BadgerLink and WISCAT training site at http://dpi.wi.gov/rll/wiscat/training.html.
Return to the Channel Weekly Home Page
For information about Channel Weekly or to submit article ideas, please contact:
Roslyn Wise, Editor, at (608) 266-6439
For questions about this information, contact Roslyn M. Wise (608) 266-6439
Last updated on 9/6/2007 10:31:58 AM
Home
Contact Us