University dedicates new library plaza

University dedicates new library plaza: "The OSU community honored Beverly Clerico, a late alumna, Saturday morning with the dedication of the newly renovated library plaza bearing her name.

Speakers included Sheila Grant Johnson, dean of libraries; Marlene Strathe, senior vice president and university provost; Lou Watkins, Board of Regents for Oklahoma A&M Colleges; L.E. “Dean” Stringer, president of the Friends of the OSU Library; Kirk Jewell, president and chief executive officer of the OSU Foundation; and John Clerico, OSU alumnus and husband of Beverly Clerico.

A large crowd attended the ceremony despite the cloudy weather.

“It was a wonderful turnout of alumni, friends and supporters. It couldn’t be a better orange-letter day,” Johnson said.

Clerico donated $500,000 for the renovation of the Edmon Low Library plaza in the name of his wife.

The newly renovated plaza, “exemplifies the spirit of a wonderful, wonderful woman. She loved students and believed in hard-work, success and people making something of themselves,” Watkins said.

Students will not notice a drastic change in the appearance of the plaza.

The library should still “look very familiar because it was reconstructed, not redesigned,” Johnson said.

The library serves a very important role at Oklahoma State University.

The “library is the most visible and cherished academic symbol at OSU,” Strathe said. "

HoustonChronicle.com - Bookaholics aren't lonesome at Archer City store

HoustonChronicle.com - Bookaholics aren't lonesome at Archer City store: "The tumbleweed is gone, but the main drag of this one-stoplight town can still be a windy, lonely place - especially when the temperature hits 104 degrees as it did on a recent afternoon.

Look a little closer, though, and there's a lot going on under that half-deserted appearance. Much revolves around Booked Up, four bookstores owned by writer Larry McMurtry that contain upwards of 250,000 second-hand, rare and antiquarian books.

Since the bookstore opened in the late '80s, visitors have trekked to this isolated North Texas town made famous by The Last Picture Show, from around the country and the world.

Many are drawn by the chance to get even a glance at McMurtry, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Lonesome Dove, The Last Picture Show and Terms of Endearment. Others are devoted bibliophiles looking for particular books or just enjoying the art of browsing.

In February, book lovers and Archer City residents were shocked by the news that the store would close Dec. 31.

McMurtry, 69, wrote in a note posted on Booked Up's Web site that he needed a sabbatical and wanted to travel before 'I become too decrepit. The books will stay right where they are - they can slumber in their majesty until the next turn of the wheel.'

In early August, McMurtry changed his mind.

"I'm thrilled it's staying open," says town librarian Cheryl Beesinger. "It brings people here from all over the world and exposure to Archer City that I never dreamed of. I've had people come to the library after visiting the bookstore from Australia and Israel.""

Yahoo to digitize public domain books | CNET News.com

Yahoo to digitize public domain books | CNET News.com: "Yahoo is launching a library-digitization project to rival Google's controversial program.

Yahoo is working with the Internet Archive, the University of California and others on a project to digitize books in archives around the world and make them searchable through any Web search engine and downloadable for free, the group was set to announce Monday.

'If we get this right so enough people want to participate in droves, we can have an interoperable, circulating library that is not only searchable on Yahoo but other search engines and downloadable on handhelds, even iPods,' said Brewster Kahle, founder of the Internet Archive.

The project, to be run by the newly formed Open Content Alliance (OCA), was designed to skirt copyright concerns that have plagued Google's Print Library Project since it was begun last year.

The Authors Guild sued Google last week, alleging its scanning and digitizing of copyright protected books infringes copyright, even if only small excerpts are displayed in search results as Google plans. Google argues that the project adheres to the fair use doctrine under U.S. copyright law, which allows excerpts in book reviews and the like.

Unlike Google, Yahoo will scan and digitize only texts in the public domain, except where the copyright holder has expressly given permission. The OCA project also will make the index of digitized works searchable by any Web search engine. Because Google is restricting public access to excerpts of copyright protected books, it is maintaining control over the searching of all the digitized texts in its program."

Wiki WorldCat (WikiD) Pilot [OCLC]

Found this via LISNews--but I want to scream KHAAAN! I had this idea at least a year ago, in fact I mentioned it to several people but they just laughed at me ...dang OCLC and their investigative network! Now I have to keep extra secret my plans for world domination as well.

Wiki WorldCat (WikiD) Pilot [OCLC]: "Beginning in September, Open WorldCat users will be able to add content to WorldCat records using wikis. The pilot will give users the ability to add comments, see comments by others and add or edit other information they know about the record.
...
OCLC will first offer this service through Open WorldCat and later expand the service to the WorldCat database in FirstSearch. Beyond FirstSearch, wikis could be added to other professional services, such as resource sharing and collection analysis, to give information professionals a direct way to affect the content of local or WorldCat cataloging records.

This is a way to extend the OCLC cataloging cooperative to include non-cataloging library professionals and patrons. This service will help member libraries encourage, solicit and manage input from their local patron community, creating interest in their library content. Benefits of the cooperative approach through OCLC allows each member to have access to the entire membership's content and creates a sense of community within WorldCat."

Job Posting | Pioneer Library System

POSITION OPEN
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES COORDINATOR

PIONEER LIBRARY SYSTEM
225 N. WEBSTER
NORMAN, OK 73069
405-701-2643


BEGINNING SALARY: Grade 11, Base ($2646.00/mo)Minimum Salary negotiable based on experience

WORKING CONDITIONS: Full Time Position - 40 hrs/wk
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED: October 1, 2005 until filled
POSITION SUMMARY:

Coordinates management of the Library’s website and other technology-based services for the public and staff. Manages the “Texpert” training program and develops other staff training on technology. Assists the Associate Director for Technology with planning technology services. Works with department staff to develop and implement innovative services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education and/or experience:
Completion of a Master’s Degree in Library Science for a graduate school accredited by the American Library Association.
Experience working in libraries.
2. Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of library science.
Electronic information services
Library automation software, i.e. Dynix products.
Established library policies and procedures.
Trends in information science.
3. Skills in:
a. Application of the principles of library science.
b. Webpage authoring and Website management.
c. Database searching techniques.
d. Computer training techniques.
e. Implementing innovative projects.
4. Ability to:
a. Maintain open communication in a team-centered work atmosphere.
b. Use creative problem solving, think on your feet.
c. Organize and analyze data.
d. Work cooperatively with other departments.
f. Communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
g. Lift up to 20 lbs.
h. Retrieve and replace items from floor level to at least 5 ½ feet in height.

Apply to Associate Director of Technology, Pioneer Library System, 225 N. Webster, Norman, OK., 73069 Applications will be accepted until position filled. Resume alone is not sufficient; completed application form is required. Application form may be obtained at any branch of the Pioneer Library System or www.pioneer.lib.ok.us.

Inside Higher Ed :: A Dogged Pursuit

Inside Higher Ed :: A Dogged Pursuit:

...Easier on the eyes, but no less appalling, are the latest reports from the Library and Information Statistics Unit at Loughborough University, in the UK. Every six months, LISU crunches the numbers regarding British and American academic book prices. Since 1987, the statisticians have been compiling and analyzing the prices of books in 64 subject categories that are “closely relevant to acquisitions librarians’ needs.” Categories include law, engineering, medicine (both human and veterinary), the various arts, and several branches each of the humanities and the social sciences.

Thanks to LISU’s analysis of how prices are varying, librarians in charge of research collections have some sense of how to plan their budgets. Claire Creaser, the deputy director and senior statistician for LISU, has kindly provided me with the latest reports, covering the first six months of this year. (A more extensive presentation of the material is available for sale in CD-ROM format, including masses of data in Excel spreadsheets, if that sort of thing does not terrify you.)

First, the bad news: During 2004 to 2005, the overall average price for an academic book from an American publisher has gone up 2.2 percent compared to the previous year. “This compares to a slight fall in prices for UK books over the same period,” as LISU notes, “and continues the recent trend for prices to rise rather more rapidly in the US than the UK.” Indeed, the report focusing on British prices notes that they have gone down 4.8 percent over the past five years. A comparison with the comparable table for American academic titles shows prices increasing by 35 percent since 1999-2000.

Then, the rest of the bad news: “There is no consistency or pattern in the half-yearly price changes [for US titles] over recent years, which can only make budgets more difficult for librarians.” Prices in a few areas have gone down. (The 761 philosophy titles from American presses between January and June were 2 percent cheaper than the previous lot.) But the vast majority of subject categories have shown an increase in price. A graph covering the past two decades shows that, sometime around mid-1996, the average cost of academic books began to shoot ahead of the retail price index. The gap between them is now wider than at any point in LISU’s record....

Public libraries among the most updated websites - The CSS Weblog - css.weblogsinc.com _

Public libraries among the most updated websites - The CSS Weblog - css.weblogsinc.com _: "Many, many sites go through complete overhauls on a regular basis. Most big corporations even touch up their cyber-complexion every once in a while. It's a pretty routine procedure, and keeps the sites up with the times.

Few update their sites as regularly as public libraries, though. It makes sense when you think about it... they have some of the most regularly updated content. New books, books that are checked out, new ways to categorically arrange the author, book titles, etc. A public library site needs to be not only easy updated, but easily maintained as well.

According to Practices and Future Plans of Public Library Webmasters, "Many Public Libraries in the USA Redesign Their Sites Every Three Years," no doubt to keep up with standards. According to most of the biggest public library systems in the world, content management is key for a public library's website. ..."

Be sure to read the entire article!

Time Line of Banned Books in the United States

Time Line of Banned Books in the United States
Neat little timeline covering banned books in the US (or by Americans). By no means comprehensive, but interesting to see the reasons for banning titles over the centuries. If you think about it the reasons throughout time have always been pretty constant.

Titles include:

1776 The Rights of Man
1873 Comstock Laws allow for outlawing of Canterbury Tales and Lysistrata
1885 Adventures of Huckleberry Finn banned from library in Mass.
1930 US Customs seizes copies of Candide
1980 Merchant of Venice (banned in schools in Michigan)
1989 Little Red Riding Hood (banned in two California schools)
2004 America (Daily Show) banned from Wal-Mart stores

The Oklahoma Daily Online Edition - Celebrating banned books

The Oklahoma Daily Online Edition - Celebrating banned books:

Connie Van Fleet didn't appear to be breaking the law. She recited, in her best librarian voice, the sing-song passages of a book intended for toddlers that was banned for its content.

Van Fleet, professor of library and information studies, and members of the English Club met last night in the faculty lounge of Gittinger Hall to celebrate Banned Books Week.

This week, the American Library Association tries to raise awareness of intellectual freedom and first amendment issues caused by the banning of books in school and public libraries, according to their Web site.

As Van Fleet slowly flipped the pages of In the Night Kitchen, no gasps emitted from the crowd.

Only chuckles could be heard and smiles seen on the faces of the audience.

The book had been banned for its depiction of a naked toddler floating through his own dream world, Van Fleet said.

"We each get to read what we want, hear what we want, say what we want, and then we must make our own decisions about what we think," Van Fleet said.

On a different note, I'll have to ask Dr. Van Fleet to demonstrate her best librarian voice" the next time I see her. ;-)

Scholastic - Lee y serás - Ready for school. Ahead for life

Lee y Serás

From the about page:

At its core, Lee y serás is about helping Latino children realize their potential as strong readers and learners. A child who learns to read and loves reading possesses skills that unlock access to the lifelong benefits that eduation provides...Lee y serás is an early literacy initiative that empowers families and communities to foster children's literacy development. By providing research-based, inculture curricula and resource materials, and by using local events and activities to garner awareness and engagement.

Includes information En Español as well.

Library Journal - ALA Proposes Major E-rate Reforms

Library Journal - ALA Proposes Major E-rate Reforms: "In July the Federal Communications Commission announced the most comprehensive review of the E-rate program since it began in 1997. The American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP), working with its E-rate Task Force, is proposing two major changes to the program and other short-term fixes. ALA seeks a major restructuring that simplifies all aspects of the program, eliminating several forms and steps, so as not to deter libraries from participation. Also, ALA, as has been discussed, wants the FCC to revise the way in which poverty is measured for libraries. Currently, libraries must calculate their E-rate discounts based on the school district in which the library is located. However, school districts and library service don't always overlap, and the Task Force will suggest a way in which the library's discount can be calculated based on the library's service area. "

KOTV - The News on 6 - More Than 900 Students Displaced By Katrina Enrolled In Oklahoma Schools

I'm curious to know if the public libraries or school libraries in these areas are planning any special programming in relation to this?

KOTV - The News on 6 - More Than 900 Students Displaced By Katrina Enrolled In Oklahoma Schools: "State schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett says Oklahoma now has 922 public school students who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Garrett says the number of students enrolled in Oklahoma schools increased by 282 during the past ten days. She says 53 of Oklahoma's 77 counties now have students who fled the Gulf Coast because of the hurricane.

Oklahoma County has the largest number of displaced students with 213 and Tulsa County is second with 112. Comanche County has 108 displaced students and Cleveland County has 97. "

The Chronicle: 9/30/2005: The Loneliness of a Conservative Librarian

*link changed to non-reg req. :)
The Chronicle: 9/30/2005: The Loneliness of a Conservative Librarian:

This is an interesting read by a lonely conservative librarian. He has some valid points that all librarians should read. What do I think--well, I know many in the library profession on all sides of the political spectrum--several whom I disagree with politically but I adore and respect as individuals and professionals.

Excerpt

But in the wake of 9/11 and the war in Iraq, librarianship as a profession no longer simply leans to the left; it has become openly politicized. By 2004, to work in a major American public or academic library was to find yourself in a left-wing echo chamber.

One of the most disturbing aspects of the situation is the way in which the supposedly nonpolitical American Library Association has become a platform for left-wing partisanship. The ALA's Council, its elected governing body, is dominated by left-wing activists who recently passed a resolution calling for the United States to leave Iraq.

It is, of course, the right of the vast majority of my colleagues to hold positions I disagree with. But it's a very different matter when the major professional association in librarianship takes openly political stands on issues that have no direct bearing on the field.
...
Librarians are supposed to stand for intellectual freedom, diversity of opinion, and providing access to materials that represent all points of view. How can we do that when many of us are intolerant of dissenting views? Allowing our profession to be a bastion of orthodoxy of any kind defeats our purpose.
...
I do see one positive development: A growing number of librarians, not all of them conservative, are calling for our profession to leave politics alone and focus on librarianship. As Steven Bell recently suggested in Library Journal, the ALA should either invite speakers to its meetings from across the political spectrum, or not invite political speakers at all.

The solution is not to replace left-wing with right-wing politicization. Rather it is to leave politics to the individual. Just as we should collect and provide access to materials representing a broad range of beliefs, we should welcome diverse viewpoints within our profession.

WorldNetDaily: Banned Books Week: Smoke screen of hypocrisy

Here's an interesting read concerning the perception that libraries purposely ban "conservative" material for more "liberal" material. (Found via LibraryLink of the Day)

WorldNetDaily: Banned Books Week: Smoke screen of hypocrisy:

Libraries and schools throughout the country are ready once again to observe Banned Books Week. It's that special time each year when some in the library profession point an accusing finger at parents, especially Christians or conservatives who might dare to question the value or appropriateness of certain materials available to youth. For 25 years since its inception, Banned Books Week has been warning America: 'Beware of the ignorance and repression of censors! They will deprive us all of valuable knowledge and freedom.'

Setting aside any danger that the government might ban valuable materials, which is not happening in any community in America, let's strip away the spin and look at the facts. The supposed dangers are essentially phony. For there are several methods to 'ban' a book from a school or library: someone can ask that something already in the library be removed, or, valuable books can be banned from consideration before they ever reach the shelves. This is the dirty little secret behind the bluster and outrage of Banned Books Week: private, library-initiated censorship is a routine practice throughout America. ...

The article goes on to say

I searched under "homosexuality," "gay and lesbian," "traditional marriage," "Christian morality," "ex-gay," "ex-homosexual," and many other phrases. My search yielded four non-fiction books expressing a conservative viewpoint.

Not to slight the concerns of the article author--but this is where subject searching versus keyword searching comes into play. If I was a betting lady I would bet the author tried a subject search for these terms--as opposed to a keyword search. Using the exact same words as either search will yield different results.

For instance I went to his library's catalog and tried his searches with the correct subject headings. Instead of performing a subject search for "traditional marriage" perhaps he should have tried the Library of Congress subject headings Marriage--United States or Family--United States. When I did a search in his library's catalog for Marriage--United States I found 61 books on the topic, the first several pages of results contained several books on building strong "traditional" marriages. And doing a search for Family--United States found 71 books on various aspects of families, the second book being Dan Quayle's The American Family: Discovering the Values that make us strong. In other words just using those two subject headings I found more than 4 books that highlighted traditional values.

In the immortal words of School House Rock "Knowledge is Power". Had the author of the article asked for help performing a search in the library catalog he could have found several books relevant to his search for traditional values. Instead it appears he took the much easier and news catchier way out and created his own story. Am I saying libraries don't censor to some degree? No, I'm not saying that I am sure there are many out there that do. But in this particular case this gentleman could have been surprised if he had just Asked a Librarian for a little help.

ABC News: Laura Bush Gala Aims to Restock Libraries

ABC News: Laura Bush Gala Aims to Restock Libraries: "First lady Laura Bush hopes to send 5 million books to the schools and libraries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama with the help of donations at her weekend book festival.

'No doubt, many books were destroyed by the rain and flood waters,' she said at a gala Friday night for donors to the $1.5 million festival. 'Family Bibles, scrapbooks, children's books that were cherished by parents and children alike.'

Saturday's fifth annual National Book Festival, which Bush organized with the Library of Congress, included readings and book signings by nearly 80 American authors."

Rebound Designs

Found this via Boingboing. Kind of a neat craft idea to do with old books. Maybe could work as a library workshop or even fundraiser?

Rebound Designs - Rebound Designs - About:

Are the Book Bags made from actual books?

Yes, these purses are all made from real old hardback books, the pages are removed and the cover is left intact. The spine becomes the bottom of the purse, so the longer the book, the wider the purse.

Don't you feel bad cutting up all those books?

Not really. Most of these books were damaged or being thrown away to begin with, I don't cut up valuable books or books in fantastic condition. I take great care to find books that are already falling apart or are unwanted, like out of date textbooks.

Gary Soto coming to Tulsa City County Library

Meet Gary Soto, Extraordinary Author
Tuesday Oct. 04 2005 from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm This event will be held at Martin Regional Library. Join us for a "muy emocionante" (very exciting) evening with "autor extraordinario" (extraordinary author) Gary Soto who has written something for everyone, including "Chato and the Party Animals," "The Skirt," "The Afterlife" and the newest addition to the American Girl family, "Marisol." A book signing will follow.

E.D. TAB: Public Libraries in the United States: Fiscal Year 2003

E.D. TAB: Public Libraries in the United States: Fiscal Year 2003: "This report includes national and state summary data on public libraries in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the outlying areas, with an introduction, findings, and numerous tables. The report is based on data from the Public Libraries Survey, Fiscal Year 2003, and includes information on population of legal service area, service outlets, public service hours, library materials, total circulation, circulation of children’s materials, reference transactions, library visits, children’s program attendance, interlibrary loans, electronic services and information, full-time-equivalent staff, operating revenue and expenditures, and capital expenditures. The report includes several key findings: Nationwide, library visits to public libraries totaled 1.3 billion, or 4.6 library visits per capita. The average number of Internet terminals available for public use per stationary outlet was 9.5."

Teen Queens - OK Librarians

Teen Queens, Recilla, Carla and Sara - OK Librarians
working on library projects for 2006 summer reading - Creature Feature!

Librarians from Stillwater Public and Mabel Fry in Yukon are part of a team of Young Adult Service Librarians that are brainstorming for the summer reading program. Get your fangs and mummy wraps ready for Creature Feature, the upcoming theme for 2006. Recilla Harms is the current chair of the Reference Roundtable, Carla Hickey is the incoming chair for Sequoyah Ad Team and Sara Schieman is the current chair for CATS roundtable. These ladies are also liasons for youth services, pooling ideas for a variety of teen/tween programs that will be featured at OLA, March 2006 in a Program Showcase for Teens and Tweens presented by CATS roundtable for state librarians. just so you know

The Oklahoma Daily Online Edition - Peculiar package leads to library evacuation

The Oklahoma Daily Online Edition - Peculiar package leads to library evacuation: "Officials evacuated Bizzell Memorial Library on Tuesday after a suspicious package was found, said Sgt. Gary Robinson of the OU Department of Public Safety.

The package was later found to be a cash box belonging to an OU student organization.

The package belonged to Haaris Nizami, Beta Chi Theta fraternity treasurer. The box turned out to be Nizami’s cash box for the fraternity.

Nizami, accounting sophomore, said he went to the library Monday night to study. He said he walked over to Bizzell after the fraternity’s usual chapter meeting in Oklahoma Memorial Union and was carrying everything he had at the meeting.

“I had my cash box with me from chapter,” Nizami said. “And I just accidentally left it there.”

Robinson said a custodian at the library discovered the package and alerted library security who contacted the police at 7:15 a.m.

The library was evacuated soon after, and the Hazardous Devices Unit was called in, Robinson said.

Robinson said because the incident was early in the morning, there were not many people inside the building. Mostly library staff members were asked to leave, he said.

Nizami said he was concerned about his mistake.

“I can’t believe I caused a bomb scare; it was a complete accident,” he said."

Issues in Informing Science & Information Technology

Do you know about this free online journal? Issues in Informing Science & Information Technology It has several interesting articles which pertain to various aspects of librarianship--including this one entitled, What Can You Do To Virtually Teach Hands-on Skills?, which could related to Library Instruction.
Abstract

What can you do to virtually teach the hands-on skills traditionally taught in labs? If you include simulations, active experimentation, discovery-learning techniques, numerous questions with detailed feedback, video, animations, and photographs, you can effectively teach practical hands-on skills through multimedia technology. Through discussion and demonstration, this session will highlight practical tips for implementing the instructional development cycle as well as uncommon but effective instructional design strategies for teaching practical skills. Some of the highlighted programs (such as a virtual chemistry lab) have pushed the boundaries of what can be accomplished with multimedia technology. By the end of this interactive session, participants (who can range from novices to experts) should be able to identify computer-based training applications that effectively use multimedia technology, generate examples of where new media technology can be appropriately used to virtually teach hands-on skills, and decide where to incorporate the strategies shown into their computer-based training productions.

AFT | CALL FOR PROPOSALS | 2006

Looking for a publishing opportunity? This theme sounds like it's right up an academic library's alley.

AMERICAN ACADEMIC
An Annual Publication from the American Federation of Teachers | CALL FOR PROPOSALS | Theme: Matters of Access in Higher Education :

AMERICAN ACADEMIC
An Annual Publication from the American Federation of Teachers

CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Theme: Matters of Access in Higher Education

American Academic, the annual higher education policy journal of the American Federation of Teachers, announces a call for proposals to be included in its Summer 2006 issue. The 2006 theme is 'Matters of Access in Higher Education'-- a foundation of public policy at the federal and state levels of government. We will also be considering articles not related to access, yet still of interest to the higher education community.

Today, however, ensuring access has become paramount for higher education as government cutbacks and increased enrollment have resulted in students and families paying more of the bill while key programs are being curtailed. The hiring of full-time tenured faculty is being cut back and colleges are turning to commercial sources of income. The goal of access to a high quality education seems to be in trouble.

The 2006 issue of American Academic will look at articles including, but not limited to:

* To what extent has higher education proven to be the great leveler—a source for opportunity for people, regardless of ethnic or family background or ability to pay?
* To what extent do higher education policies contribute to existing inequities?
* What is the impact on access of rising college costs and loan burden, declining federal aid and academic staffing patterns?
* What is the appropriate level of government involvement in quality and consumer protection?
* What role does distance education play in terms of access and quality?

Deadline for all Proposals: December 8, 2005

Proposal should include a cover page with: title of the proposed paper, author and affiliation, and telephone/e-mail contact information.

Proposals should be no longer than three double-spaced pages plus references. Please submit proposals to AFT Higher Education at americanacademic@aft.org. For more information, contact the AFT Higher Education staff at 202/879-4426 or 800/238-1133 x4426.

The American Federation of Teachers represents over 1.3 million people, including over 130,000 faculty and professional staff at colleges and universities around the country.

The Oklahoma Daily Online Edition - Don't burn the books, but don't sit together, either

No PDA in the OU Library? Could go back to all those myths I heard about the stacks when I was in library school.
The Oklahoma Daily Online Edition - Don't burn the books, but don't sit together, either:

..." I don’t have too big a problem with cameras. I like books, too.

And I liked the cameras in the library until last week when....

During a two-hour break between classes, I head to the library’s second basement to read The Daily. When I arrive, my wife is there; no big surprise.

Finding her there awake is unusual, but I soon see that both of the couches are inhabited by sleepers.

I sit in a wide leather chair about four feet from my wife. I open The Daily. My wife takes two steps toward me and sits in my chair. We fit easily.

We whisper to not disturb those studying hard on the couches. Our legs touch — that’s it.

Seems pretty normal, right?

A literal 30 seconds pass. The elevator doors split open to our left. A lone man stands in the center of the cabin wearing what resembles the get-up of a mall security man.

His head is bald and sleek, and for some reason I like him more than your average mall security guard.

He stands in the elevator for a minute with a determined look on his face. I admire him — what purpose.

Then he is a mystery. I ask myself what the mall security man is doing in our library. He is young enough to be a student. It makes sense that he might work in the mall after class.

He walks toward me and my wife. He is serious, but he seems nice. I smile at him. Maybe he’s lost.

I wait for his question, but instead he says, “We can’t have that here.” And for a second I have no idea what he is talking about. He seems to sense that and says, “You can’t sit together.”...

Authors Guild sues Google over library project | CNET News.com

Authors Guild sues Google over library project | CNET News.com: "The Authors Guild on Tuesday filed a class action lawsuit against search engine Google, alleging that its scanning and digitizing of library books constitutes a 'massive' copyright infringement.

As part of its Google Print Library Project, the company is working to scan all or parts of the book collections of the University of Michigan, Harvard University, Stanford University, the New York Public Library and Oxford University and make those texts searchable on Google.

'This is a plain and brazen violation of copyright law,' Nick Taylor, president of the New York-based Authors Guild, said in a statement. 'It's not up to Google or anyone other than the authors, the rightful owners of these copyrights, to decide whether and how their works will be copied.'"

IMLS: What's New: Current

IMLS: What's New: Current: "The Institute of Museum and Library Services, the primary source of federal funds for the nation's museums and libraries, today announced the recipients of its prestigious National Leadership Grants for 2005. More than $17 million ($17,349,361) is being awarded to 41 museums and libraries throughout the country in this highly competitive grant program. The recipients will match the awards with an additional $15,522,757. "

Including this for Oklahoma!

Oklahoma Department of Libraries - Oklahoma City, OK - $209,000
2005 National Leadership Grants for Libraries - Advancing Learning Communities
In collaboration with seven other statewide cultural organizations and a variety of individual librarians, historians, and scholars, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries will sponsor a 27-month project entitled Oklahoma Image: 100 Years of Statehood as part of the state's centennial celebration. The project will produce a series of workshops for librarians, education directors, teachers, and others; public library programs on Oklahoma history; and standards-based study guides for K-12 teachers relating to the use of Oklahoma Image, an online digital image resource of primary sources.

WSOCTV.com - Irresistible Headlines - 'Desperate Librarians' Let Down More Than Their Hair

Do not confuse this with the OLA Librarian Calendar. No shedding of clothes were involved with that one. ;-)

WSOCTV.com - Irresistible Headlines - 'Desperate Librarians' Let Down More Than Their Hair: "Some Wisconsin librarians are letting down more than their hair.

A half dozen librarians from the Waupacaarea have posed for the 'Desperate Librarians' calendar. It's to raise money for local libraries. But the women don't expose too much of their Dewey Decimal System.

Large library books are strategically placed to protect their modesty. The models note that while they may appear naked, each was wearing a little something during the photo shot.

The oldest volunteer model is library director Lucie Erickson, who turned 60 last month. She also helped to organize the Desperate Librarians fundraiser."

43 Folders | Writing sensible email messages

Found this via Boingboing. I know at times I am less than "to-the-point" with my emails. And I found some of these tips useful in creating the perfect K.I.S.S. email for those important library matters!

43 Folders | Writing sensible email messages: "If you want to be a good email citizen and ensure the kind of results you're looking for, you'll need to craft messages that are concise and easy to deal with. Tips include:
1. Understand why you're writing.
2. Get what you need.
3. Write a great subject line
4. Brevity is the soul of... getting a response
5. What's the action here?
6. Other good ideas."

New features from LibraryStories

Dear Reader,
If you would kindly look towards the right of this web page and slowly scroll towards the bottom of the side bar you will see a few new features.

First you'll notice our OkLibrarica Blogs section has added a few new sites. Many thanks to those blogging Okie Librarians who are kind enough to allow me to link to them. If you would like your blog listed here please let me know!

Below that section you'll notice a new section called Wireless OKlibs. These are libraries that have been indicated to me or have listed on their websites info that show they are Wi-Fi friendly. If you would like your Oklahoma Library listed here please email me or insert a comment indicating your library's name and URL.

And underneath our Blog Oklahoma link you'll see LibraryStories' newest feature powered by bloglet. What is it? Well, simply insert your email address and click submit and you will start to get an email of all the LibraryStories for the previous day. It's an easy way to stay up-to-date on Oklahoma library news (especially in between those updates I send out to OLA members).

Let me know what you think of these features and also if there are any other Okie library specific items you would like to see added.

Thanks for reading!

Managing Information News| British Library Put Manuscript Of 'Alice’s Adventures Under Ground' Online

Managing Information News| British Library Put Manuscript Of 'Alice’s Adventures Under Ground' Online: "On 21 September 2005, the original manuscript of Alice’s Adventures Under Ground, one of the world’s most popular and well known children’s books, will be available to internet users for the first time.

This latest addition to the British Library’s Turning the Pages is a fully digitised version of the original manuscript containing 90 pages and 37 illustrations. Its pages can be ‘virtually’ turned and viewed on-line on the British Library’s website, in the Treasures Gallery of the British Library and on a new CD-ROM.

Written by Lewis Carroll, the pen-name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, an Oxford mathematician, Alice’s Adventures Under Ground later published as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, was a gift to Alice Liddell. Carroll befriended Lorina, Alice and Edith Liddell, the young daughters of the Dean of his college, Christ Church, while taking photographs in the Deanery garden. One summer’s day in 1862 he entertained them on a boat trip with a story of Alice’s adventures in a magical world entered through a rabbit-hole. The children adored the story and the 10-year old Alice implored Carroll to write it down for her. It took Carroll until February 1863 to write out the whole text in neat ‘manuscript print’. When the text was completed Carroll added his illustrations and eventually presented Alice with the book in November 1864 with the inscription ‘A Christmas Gift to a Dear Child, in Memory of a Summer Day’.

Encouraged by friends and family, Carroll went on to rewrite and enlarge the story for publication in 1865. John Tenniel was commissioned to provide the illustrations, several of which were based on Carroll’s original sketches in the manuscript."

The Connecticut Post Online | Feds fear 'mosaic' would tip terrorists if librarian named

The Connecticut Post Online | Feds fear 'mosaic' would tip terrorists if librarian named: "If a Connecticut librarian's name is let out of the bag, terrorists might use that and other information to piece together how the FBI is trying to thwart their activity.

That's the 'mosaic theory' behind the U.S. Department of Justice's effort to keep the librarian muzzled, as outlined in a motion filed Friday with the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

The federal agency filed an emergency motion for an expedited appeal seeking a stay in a lower court's ruling that lifted the government gag order.

'[O]nce information that should remain confidential has been publicly disclosed, the genie is out of the bottle and we have not the means to put the genie back,' department lawyers wrote in the appeal.

The Justice Department filed the motion in response to U.S. District Court Judge Janet Hall's Sept. 9 ruling lifting a gag order, imposed by the USA Patriot Act, barring the librarian from ever identifying himself.

The American Civil Liberties Union is representing the librarian — identified only as 'John Doe' — in a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

According to the ACLU, Doe wants the gag order lifted so he can testify before Congress about the Patriot Act, many provisions of which are set to expire at the end of this year. The Patriot Act authorizes the government to demand libraries and bookstores turn over patrons' records, and makes it a potential crime for them to talk about it."

Move over Buffy, it’s Librarian Lady - Sunday Times - Times Online

Move over Buffy, it’s Librarian Lady - Sunday Times - Times Online: "Some 100,000 “Librarian Action Figures” have been sold in two years, even though her actions are restricted to raising a finger to her lips to command silence. A “deluxe” version, complete with desk and computer, arrives in British toyshops this autumn.

“She is the most successful original action figure since Harry Potter, more unexpected because she has not been promoted through a movie but largely by word of mouth,” said a spokesman for FPS, which monitors America’s £13 billion-a-year toy market. “It’s a very middle-class jokey gift.”

The £4 figurine, sales of which are overtaking rival female role models such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is based on Nancy Pearl, 60, who recently retired as a director in the Seattle public library system. The idea was born at a tipsy dinner party in 2002 when she suggested to a fellow guest, a toy-maker, that her undervalued profession needed a public hero.

“To my amazement, they took me up on it,” Pearl said last week. “I couldn’t decide what to wear when I was being ‘digitised’ (measured by a computer for the model) so I wore my work stuff, including my glasses. The result was rather realistic.”"

KOTV - The News on 6 - Oklahoma City Library Committee To Set Policies About New Collection

KOTV - The News on 6 - Oklahoma City Library Committee To Set Policies About New Collection: "Five members of the Metropolitan Library Commission board will make up a special committee that will set policies and guidelines for a so-called parenting collection.

The parenting collection will consist of children's books classified as easy, easy-reader and 'tweens that deal with controversial topics. Those terms describe books geared to children's reading levels from just learning to read to age 12.

The library system's administration and staff will provide input into writing and enacting the guidelines. Only adults will be able to check out books in the parenting collection.

Formation of the special five-member committee is the commission's response to a complaint, which a patron lodged in April, about young children having free access to library books with homosexual themes."

LibraryThing | Catalog your books online

Found this via Metafilter.

For all of you who secretly want to be a librarian there is LibraryThing | Catalog your books online:

What is LibraryThing?

LibraryThing is an online service to help people catalog their books easily.

What software does it require?

None. If you can read this, you can use LibraryThing.

What does it cost?

A free account allows you to catalog up to 200 books. A paid lifetime account allows you to catalog any number of books. At present and for the forseeable future lifetime accounts cost just $10. I conservatively predict the revenue will enable me to recline all day on an enormous pile of gold.

What else does LibraryThing do?

In addition to cataloging your own library, LibraryThing allows you to check out other people's libraries, tells you who has similar tastes, etc. With only a few users, this is pretty useless (nor is the functionality fully developed). As the number of users picks up, this will become increasingly interesting and powerful.

Breaking Down The Google Print 5 Libraries | SearchEngineWatch Blog

Breaking Down The Google Print 5 Libraries: "If you're interested in learning about the print book collections of the
five libraries Google plans to scan/digitize (assuming all goes as planned), a new article in Digital Libraries: Anatomy of Aggregate Collections, uses data from OCLC's WorldCat (the largest bibliographic database in the world) to provide breakdowns and comparisons.

From the article:

This article offers some perspectives on GPLP in light of what is known about library print book collections in general, and those of the Google 5 in particular, from information in OCLC's WorldCat bibliographic database and holdings file. Questions addressed include:

* Coverage: What proportion of the system-wide print book collection will GPLP potentially cover? What is the degree of holdings overlap across the print book collections of the five participating libraries?
* Language: What is the distribution of languages associated with the print books held by the GPLP libraries? Which languages are predominant?
* Copyright: What proportion of the GPLP libraries' print book holdings are out of copyright?
* Works: How many distinct works are represented in the holdings of the GPLP libraries? How does a focus on works impact coverage and holdings overlap?
* Convergence: What are the effects on coverage of using a different set of five libraries? What are the effects of adding the holdings of additional libraries to those of the GPLP libraries, and how do these effects vary by library type?"

Altus Times - Altus, Oklahoma | Navajo School Library book fair

Altus Times - Altus, Oklahoma | Navajo School Library book fair: "Navajo School Library will be sponsoring a book fair through Sept. 16. The book fair is the only fundraiser the library has each year. The school budget allows for buying new books but they use the book fair money for A.R. awards, library rewards and book repair supplies. The hours for the book fair will be 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on school days and Sept. 15 and 16 during parent-teacher conference."

Okie Funk wants Okie librarians to become Pastafarians for Intellectual freedom

Okie Funk: Notes From The Outback - Oklahoma Librarians, Teachers, Professors Need The Flying Spaghetti Monster:

...I have talked to several librarians and teachers recently about these issues, and there are a number of them who feel voiceless about the intellectual direction of Oklahoma under the recent conservative movement. Some have moved to less radical states. More will certainly follow. Those who stay watch what they say, what they teach.

They are discouraged by the recent decision by the Oklahoma County Metro Library Commission to create a special parenting section for what the right-wingers view as controversial children books with homosexual themes. (One of the books is King & King, which is age-appropriate and contains no sexuality.) They are discouraged by the constant challenges they receive in class about the theory of evolution, which remains the bedrock of modern scientific thought.
...
I believe Oklahoma librarians, teaches, and professors need to organize over these intellectual issues in the coming weeks and certainly before the state legislature meets again...

Perhaps Okie Funk should meet OLA's Legislative Committee, Social Responsibilities Roundtable, Intellectual Freedom Committee and visit the OLA on the Issues section to find out where many Oklahoma Librarians do stand. Oklahoma Librarians have been anything but shush on such issues.

Reading Oklahoma

Reading Oklahoma
Adrienne B. points out Oklahoma Department of Libraries' new blog called Reading Oklahoma. With so many talented librarians at ODL this blog shows a lot of promise for folks who are looking to add some Okie flavor to their book shelves!

CNN.com - Failure, escape and 'The Outsiders' - Sep 13, 2005

Coppola, a Librarian, and an Oklahoma Classic are highlighted in this article...

CNN.com - Failure, escape and 'The Outsiders' - Sep 13, 2005:

The job Coppola took in early 1982, 'The Outsiders,' may have seemed like one of those projects, but it came to him through the mail -- and became a labor of love.

A librarian at the Lone Star Junior High School in Fresno, California, wrote him:

'We are all so impressed with the book, 'The Outsiders' by S.E. Hinton, that a petition has been circulated asking that it be made into a movie. We have chosen you to send it to. In hopes that you might also see the possibilities of a movie, we have enclosed a copy of the book.'

'It was signed by like 110 little signatures,' he recalled. 'Who can ignore that?'

He didn't. And on September 20 he's putting out a two-disc DVD with a version 22 minutes longer.

Over the years, Coppola has received letters from kids praising the movie, but wondering why more of their favorite book wasn't in it.

'I think for me, the showdown was when my granddaughter's class asked me to come and show the film and I was embarrassed to show the normal version,' says Coppola. 'So I cobbled together a version of the whole movie, the whole novel, and I remember looking at it and wondering, 'Why did I ever cut this down?'

ConstitutionFacts.com - Learn about the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and much more!

Know what your Constitution IQ is? Better yet, want to do a crossword puzzle concerning the Constitution? Or wait, how about famous quotes concerning the Constitution? If you answered yes (or WTF) to any of these get your browser over to ConstitutionFacts.com - Learn about the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and much more! right a way--before you miss out on Constitution Day!

Free Health Workshop December 6

Steve B. sends in this library story.

When: December 6th 1:00-5:00
Who: Metrodocs & Oklahoma Health Sciences Library Association.
What: A free 4-hour afternoon workshop
Where: University of Central Oklahoma's Max Chambers Library.

Details: Consumer Health: An Evidence Based Approach to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Designed to give attendees an understanding of the history and practice of alternative medicine. This is an Internet-based workshop in which each attendee will use a computer in their Library Instruction room. The workshop is free, but you must be registered to attend. Our instructor will be Karen Vargas, Consumer Health Coordinator, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region.

Eligibility: All library workers, hospital and health clinic staff, university and college staff, anyone engaged in providing complementary and alternative medicine, and the general public.



Here is a website where you can read more about this workshop--
http://nnlm.gov/scr/edn/cam.htm

MPLA Election Results 2005

MPLA Election Results 2005

Congrats to the following Okie Librarians who won MPLA elections!
Wayne H. of Southeastern Public Library System (Vice-president/President-elect)
Michele S. of OSU (Chair Elect New Members Round Table)

We know you'll do Oklahoma proud!

BBC NEWS | Business | Reed criticised for 'arms link'

Found this via the NexGen discussion group. Be sure to click over to the BBC and read the entire article.

BBC NEWS | Business | Reed criticised for 'arms link': "Medical journal The Lancet has launched a scathing attack on its owner, Reed Elsevier, for helping to organise Europe's largest arms fair.
Reed is helping to stage the Defence Systems and Equipment International show starting in London on Tuesday.

The journal said it was 'deeply concerned' by the company's 'connection to the arms trade'.

But Reed said all exhibitors were strictly regulated and some technology on display was designed for civil use.

The forthcoming event - staged in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence - showcases new technology for both military and civil use.

Exhibitors include defence companies BAE Systems, EADS and Lockheed Martin. "

ABC.com: Extreme Makeover wants librarians

This came across the Nexgen-l. What is extreme makeover trying to tell librarians?

ABC.com: Extreme Makeover: "Want to be on Extreme Makeover?

Fill out the application and send in your tape! Click here for the application.

If you have always dreamed of having an extreme makeover, which includes multiple plastic surgeries, this is your opportunity!

To apply online for an Extreme Makeover, visit www.exmcasting.com

Some of the candidates we are currently looking for are:

1. PROSTHETIC STORY - Someone who is in need of a new or updated prosthetic. Candidates must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 21 and 40 and be in good physical health.
2. CANCER SURVIVOR or LIBRARIAN - Candidates must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 21 and 40 and be in good physical health. ..."

Norman Friends of Library seek items for sale

Friends of Library seek items for sale: "Donations of good quality used books, audio and video tapes, CDs, DVDs, records, computer programs and prints are being sought by the Friends of the Norman Library for the annual book sale scheduled for Oct. 28-31.

Donations should be taken to the library. Pick-up of large donations is available by calling 360-4346. A preview for members of the organization will be Friday evening, Oct. 28. The sale is open to the public without charge Oct. 29-30, with a special time set aside Oct. 30 for mobility impaired shoppers. The sale will close on Monday with a five-hour $3 per bag sale.

Simm and Lori Rudnick are chairing the 2005 Book Sale and are supervising the collection and sorting of the projected 50,000 items to be available.

'We need all types of materials, but of special need are books of special interest, such as Oklahoma and Southwest topics, first editions, coffee table books, prints and other literary items.'

These items will be set aside in a 'Collectibles Room' and will be priced higher than the 50-cents or dollar for paperbacks, and $1 hardbacks.

Volunteers are needed during the two weeks prior to the sale for sorting and displaying the items, and after the sale for the clean-up. For further information or to schedule, call the volunteer coordinator at 410-1721.

After the public sale, the Friends of the Norman Library will donate the remaining books (excluding collectibles) to qualified non-profit organizations, libraries and educational institutions. Interested organizations must contact the Friends of the Library at 360-4346"

Traditions dot area football landscape

I'm glad to see that librarians' research is well appreciated by football historians and fans!

Traditions dot area football landscape:

After a homecoming rally, each Hennessey senior gets to ring the bell and address a gathering of students near the east end zone.

"That is the only time I know that bell has been rung (since it was moved)," Barnes said.

The bell lost its wheels Oct. 19, 1981, when it was moved to its current location -- a tall, permanent tower in the east end zone, according to research by Hennessey librarian Mary Haney and assistant librarian Karen Vogt.

Rockbridge Weekly's Newsline| Admissions Fees from Presidential Libraries to go to Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund

Rockbridge Weekly's Newsline | Admissions Fees from Presidential Libraries to go to Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund:
"The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Foundation has answered the call of former U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton to join with their respective presidential libraries in donating admissions fees to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Along with eleven other presidential libraries across the nation, The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library is supporting the relief effort by contributing the gate receipts from Labor Day weekend to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund.

President George W. Bush enlisted the help of former Presidents Bush and Clinton to spearhead fundraising efforts for the ravaged Gulf Coast region. They have established the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund to provide long-term relief and rebuilding resources to help the victims of this great disaster. The money raised will be given to the governors of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana for use in filling the gaps in unmet needs that are certain to arise in the weeks and months ahead with the recovery effort.

Pete deVaux, Chair of The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Foundation, said “We are eager to participate with our fellow presidential libraries in this effort as an important symbol of our country’s support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.”

Commitments to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund have been made by The George Bush Presidential Library Foundation, The Carter Center, The William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation, The Eisenhower Foundation, The Gerald R. Ford Foundation, The Hoover Presidential Library Association, The LBJ Library Foundation, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation, The Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, The Harry S. Truman Library Foundation, The Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation and The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Foundation. To date, a total of $51,000 has been donated to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund."

To learn more about Presidential Libraries visit this site by the National Archives!

Job Postings | UCO

Library: The University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK (northern suburb of Oklahoma City). Two (2) librarian positions: Library Instruction

Required: MLS or MLIS from an ALA accredited program by 12-2005.
Preferred: Teaching or library instruction experience in an academic library. Knowledge of teaching and research methodologies and their application to information literacy.

Salary: $30,500 plus benefits.
Positions open until filled.

Review of applications begins immediately.

Additional information is online and online application is available at:
http://jobs.ucok.edu/

Provide online: UCO staff application, letter of interest, current resume, unofficial transcripts, and list of three professional references (include name, address, telephone, email).

Contact:
UCO, Human Resources Department, 100 North University Drive, Edmond, OK 73034-5209. Telephone: 405-974-3089 Fax 405-974-3827

All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. Members of under represented groups are encouraged to apply. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Harry Potter Digital Audiobooks Debut Exclusively on iTunes Music Store

Found this via liblicense-l.
Harry Potter Digital Audiobooks Debut Exclusively on iTunes Music Store: "Apple® today announced that the entire Harry Potter audiobook series is now available exclusively on the iTunes® Music Store, the world's number one online music service. For the first time ever, every audiobook in the series, including the latest release, 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' is available as a digital download from iTunes. Customers can either download individual audiobooks or the complete Harry Potter Digital Box Set which includes a full color digital booklet as well as previously unreleased readings from author J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter fans can also purchase the complete Harry Potter Digital Box Set together with a Collector's Edition 20GB iPod® engraved with the Hogwarts crest."

ALA | Libraries & Hurricane Katrina

ALA | Libraries & Hurricane Katrina

This page includes a collection of websites dedicated to various aspects of Hurricane Katrina and Libraries. It contains everything from news coverage, disaster relief funds, housing database for librarians, as well as reading lists regarding disasters.

Well worth a check.

Job Posting | C Berger Group

C. Berger Group, Inc. the Midwest's leading library personnel firm has an immediate opening for a part-time librarian. This position is a CBG contract position with a technical library. Average 20 hours per week. Weekday daytime hours

Duties include: Cataloging and maintaining library collection, serials maintenance, reference services, interlibrary loan, circulation services, and other library duties
Salary: Starting at $15.00 per hour

Qualifications:ALA/MLS preferred, Experience in cataloging and maintaining library collection. Proficient with computer applications and equipment. Good organizational skills. Ability to work independently.

To apply for this and other CBG positions, please fill out a Skills Inventory from: www.cberger.com. Resumes to: jkloeppel@cberger.com. Please reference job title and location. C. Berger Group, Inc., 327 E. Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188, Phone: 630.653.1115 or 800.382.4222, Fax: 630.653.1691

Julianna Kloeppel
Client Services Specialist
C. Berger Group, Inc.
327 E. Gundersen Dr.
Carol Stream, IL 60188
phone: 630.653.1115 or 1800.382.4222
fax: 630.653.1691
jkloeppel@cberger.com
www.cberger.com

NewsOK.com | Shawnee library gets new branch manager

NewsOK.com | Shawnee library gets new branch manager: "Julia Harmon, former manager of the Information Services Department at Shawnee Public Library, will return to the library as the new branch manager.

She takes over the library's top leadership position from Yvonne Hinchee, who retired earlier this summer.

Harmon, who lives in Tecumseh, is a 20-year-veteran of the Pioneer Library System. In addition to working at the Shawnee library, she has served Pottawatomie County as the branch manager of the Tecumseh Public Library.

Most recently, Harmon has worked as the coordinator of the Center for Reader's Services at the Pioneer Library System headquarters in Norman."

Meet Avi, Winner of the Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers' Literature

Meet Avi, Winner of the Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers' Literature Friday Sept. 09 2005 from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm This event will be held at Central Library second floor. Avi, one of the most prolific, talented and critically acclaimed children's writers of the 21st century, will receive the Tulsa Library Trust's 2005 Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers' Literature and will speak about his life and works. Avi will answer questions from the audience and sign books. You may purchase copies of his books at the program. This event is for all ages in Tulsa,OK this coming Friday.
This Saturday join the community of Tulsa for an Awards Ceremony: Young People's Creative Writing Contest Saturday Sept. 10 2005 at 10:00 am This event will be held at Central Library second floor. Event Description: Avi, winner of the Tulsa Library Trust's 2005 Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers' Literature, will hand out awards to winners of Tulsa City-County Library's 2005 Young People's Creative Writing Contest. He will teach youths how to write creatively, and give life to words and voices to characters. Avi will answer questions from the audience and sign books. You may purchase copies of his books at the program. This event is for all ages.

OU Libraries | Books that Inspire V

OU Libraries | Books that Inspire V:

Welcome to the University of Oklahoma Libraries' fifth Books That Inspire exhibit. The purpose of the exhibit is to draw attention to National Library Week and to promote reading. While we eagerly join the American Library Association in this annual event, we recognize that making books available and promoting reading is a year-around mission of the University Library. It is gratifying to see that we have again received fifty-two contributions for this annual exhibit. We believe that there is no better venue than a library for presenting books that have inspire readers.

Find out what books inspire people such as:
OU President David Boren
OU School of Music Visiting Researcher Mahua Mukherjee
OU Librarian David Corbly
OU Cross Country Team Coach Rodney Rothoff
and many more...

McAlester News Capital & Democrat | Tim Tingle day proclaimed in Eufaula

McAlester News Capital & Democrat | Tim Tingle day proclaimed in Eufaula: "Wednesday will be Tim Tingle day in Eufaula. A free Indian taco lunch will be served at the library, beginning at 11 a.m. At noon, Eufaula Mayor Dean Smith will present the Tim Tingle Day proclamation to the author. Tingle will tell stories, talk about his book and answer questions. No charge will be made for lunch or for attending the program, but donations will be accepted. In addition, Tingle's books will be available for sale and autographing.

It is a real privilege to have the award-winning storyteller bring his record-setting author tour to Eufaula Memorial Library. Tingle, author of 'Walking the Choctaw Road: Stories from Red People Memory,' is making more than 80 presentations at Oklahoma public libraries and schools through Nov. 30. No other author has made so many appearances during a single tour in Oklahoma.

The unprecedented tour is part of Oklahoma Reads Oklahoma, the statewide centennial reading and discussion program sponsored by the Oklahoma Humanities Council and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. The project was conceived to give literature an important role in the state's centennial celebration and is patterned after the One Book projects that have become popular around the country."

MIN | MLA Report: Increasing The Attractiveness Of Libraries For Adult Learners

Managing Information News: "MLA (Museums, Libraries And Archives Council ) has published a new report, titled 'Increasing the attractiveness of libraries for adult learners', which is now available to download online.

The report describes how to understand better the barriers that prevent potential learners from using libraries for learning, and provides proposals to make libraries more accessible to adult learners. It also offers guidance on the language and messages most likely to influence adult learners."

NewsOK.com | Library introduces contest

NewsOK.com | Library introduces contest: "

Oklahoma County fourth- and fifth-graders will get a chance to explore the possibilities of teleporting through words, pictures and poetry in the 2005 Metropolitan Library Writing Contest.

The contest will run through Oct. 7, using the book, 'Cryptomania' by Edith Hope Fine and Kim Doner.

LaVetta Dent, the library system's children's services coordinator, said Doner, a Tulsa author and illustrator, provided the illustrations for 'Cryptomania,' and also will serve as the guest author/illustrator for this year's contest.

Dent said children are invited to write and illustrate short stories and pen poems about 'teleporting into' various times, cultures and places, from the past or into the future.

Three prizes will be awarded in each of three categories: poetry, short story and illustrated story.

Entry forms are available at Metropolitan library location, Dent said. Entries, with an official entry form or a copy of a form, are due Oct. 7, and can be turned in at any of the system's 17 libraries.

The workshop will be during National Children's Book Week, Nov. 14-20.

For more information, call Dent at 606-3837."

Disaster Relief | From TLA

Disaster Relief:

"The Texas library community is rallying to rebuild hope and the future for victims of Hurricane Katrina. TLA applauds the efforts of local librarians in quickly responding to the incredible challenges in many communities.

The Texas Library Association's Disaster Relief Fund has been expanded to collect donations for libraries in the Gulf Coast area as well as for libraries providing support for the evacuees. One hundred percent of your donation will be sent to the state library agency or library association in the state of your choice. TLA is also developing a plan to accept book donations for shipment to the affected states at an appropriate time.

Please make your donation check payable to the Texas Library Association, designate your preferred state, and mail to:

Texas Library Association
3355 Bee Cave Road, Suite 401
Austin, TX 78746

Funds for Louisiana can also be sent directly to: Louisiana Library Association Disaster Relief Fund, LLA, 421 South 4th St, Eunice, LA 70535"

ALA | Hurricane Katrina Report: Affected Libraries

Found this via LISnews.
ALA | Hurricane Katrina Report: Affected Libraries: One library hurricane story includes:

"Craig Nocaise, 21, a police officer, waited out the storm inside the Pass Christian (Miss.) Public Library, a branch of the Harrison County Library System, with 12 other town police. They noticed about a dozen of their police cars circling the building on a current of water. Then one crashed through the front door. Water poured in and rose quickly. When the back glass door wouldn’t open, the officers pulled their guns and fired at least 50 rounds into it before it shattered. They each then grabbed a cable line and climbed onto the roof, where they spent the next three hours in 130-mile-an-hour winds. “We lost every patrol car,” said Nocaise. “We still haven’t found some. They’re probably in the Gulf somewhere.” Asked more about the experience in the library, Nocaise choked up and walked away."

Tell everyone you know!

Bill Y. sends this library story.

The voting booth to select the Oklahoma Reads Oklahoma Book for 2006 is officially open at:

http://www.okreadsok.org

The 2006 nominees include:

Agrarian Socialism in America: Marx, Jefferson and Jesus in the Oklahoma Countryside, 1904-1920
(Non-fiction by Jim Bissett)

Mean Spirit
(Fiction by Linda Hogan)

The Saints and Sinners of Okay County
(Fiction by Dayna Dunbar)

Taking Indian Lands: The Cherokee (Jerome) Commission, 1889-1893
(Non-fiction by William T. Hagan)

Whose Names Are Unknown
(Fiction by Sanora Babb)

Will Rogers: A Biography
(Non-fiction by Ben Yagoda)

Read excerpts from the six nominated titles, and discover more about the statewide reading and discussion program.

Plus, if you haven't had a chance to see a presentation by this year's Oklahoma Reads Oklahoma author, check our Tim Tingle's schedule. He will be touring through November:

http://www.okreadsok.org/tingletour.html

Louisiana Library Association: Home

Kay B. Sends out this library story.

The LLA Disaster Relief Fund is now accepting monetary donations to assist school, public, and academic library restoration efforts in Southeastern Louisiana.

Please make checks payable to:
LLA-Disaster Relief

And mail to:
LLA
421 South 4th St
Eunice, LA 70535


********

If you would like to see what help Mississippi libraries need try the MissLA website.

Katrina and library disaster recovery links

C|Net has a nice list of sites you can visit to learn about hurricane Katrina and places to which you can submit help. I heard many of these mentioned on NPR this morning as well.
Key Web links for tracking Katrina's aftermath | CNET News.com

On a related note there are many libraries in the region in which Katrina struck. Here are a few links related to disaster recovery and libraries. This is by no means a comprehensive list--it just gives you an idea as to what type of materials are available for the libraries, archives, and museums that will have to rebuild.

*Emergency Preparedness & Recovery: A Selected Bibliography
*Disasters: Plans, Clean-up, and Recovery— The Colorado State Experience
*SLA: Disaster Planning Portal
*Procedures for Salvage of Water Damaged Library Materials
*Disaster preparedness and response

Google Announces Plan To Destroy All Information It Can't Index | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

This spoof library story was sent to me by Jason D. Thanks Jason! Be sure to read the entire article.

Google Announces Plan To Destroy All Information It Can't Index | The Onion - America's Finest News Source: "MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA—Executives at Google, the rapidly growing online-search company that promises to 'organize the world's information,' announced Monday the latest step in their expansion effort: a far-reaching plan to destroy all the information it is unable to index.
google

'Our users want the world to be as simple, clean, and accessible as the Google home page itself,' said Google CEO Eric Schmidt at a press conference held in their corporate offices. 'Soon, it will be.'

The new project, dubbed Google Purge, will join such popular services as Google Images, Google News, and Google Maps, which catalogs the entire surface of the Earth using high-resolution satellites.

As a part of Purge's first phase, executives will destroy all copyrighted materials that cannot be searched by Google."

West Coast collection of Native literature unveiled in Portland

Would be interesting to get this list and see how many of these titles are available in Oklahoma.

ICT [2005/08/30] West Coast collection of Native literature unveiled in Portland: "Think black and red when you picture Jim Carmin's 176-page roster of American Indian literature. The voluminous printout reads like a wish list for those interested in capturing the zeitgeist - or spirit of the times - of the nearly 40-year renaissance in fiction, poetry, short stories and drama penned by indigenous people of North America.

Black is for the titles Carmin's already acquired as part of Multnomah County Library's goal of creating a body of Native American literature within its Special Collections department. With $62,000 plus many extra unexpected donations, Carmin - the librarian in charge of the John Wilson Room Special Collections Room - has accumulated 1,000 items in the new collection. A quick scan of his lengthy roster, though, reveals enough red to underscore the idea that the goal is to cover the gamut.

''Pre-1968, there are around less that a dozen novels published by Native writers,'' said Carmin. ''The reason is that a lot of Indian writers hadn't had access to [the] publishing world.''

Although the play that became the basis for the musical ''Oklahoma'' - ''Green Grow the Lilacs,'' by Cherokee writer Lynn Riggs - was penned in 1931, a mainstream audience for literature specific to Indian culture simply did not exist until the counterculture of the late '60s.

So the timing was a meeting of minds. N. Scott Momaday's ''House Made of Dawn'' received sufficient attention to earn a Pulitzer Prize in 1969, one year after its publication.

''It was Momaday's work that started the Native American literary renaissance,'' said Carmin. ''So knowing that there was not a huge body of work prior to that date, and working with Ken Lopez, a Massachusetts dealer, we began to develop a core collection.'' "

Click here to read the entire article.

NPR : The Joy and Enthusiasm of Reading

This was on NPR this morning--I encourage you to read/listen to the entire essay.
NPR : The Joy and Enthusiasm of Reading: Morning Edition, August 29, 2005 Expert:

I believe in the absolute and unlimited liberty of reading. I believe in wandering through the stacks and picking out the first thing that strikes me. I believe in choosing books based on the dust jacket. I believe in reading books because others dislike them or find them dangerous. I believe in choosing the hardest book imaginable. I believe in reading up on what others have to say about this difficult book, and then making up my own mind.

Part of this has to do with Mr. Buxton, who taught me Shakespeare in 10th grade. We were reading Macbeth. Mr. Buxton, who probably had better things to do, nonetheless agreed to meet one night to go over the text line by line. The first thing he did was point out the repetition of motifs. For example, the reversals of things ('fair is foul and foul is fair'). Then there was the unsexing of Lady Macbeth and the association in the play of masculinity with violence.

What Mr. Buxton didn't tell me was what the play meant. He left the conclusions to me. The situation was much the same with my religious studies teacher in 11th grade, Mr. Flanders, who encouraged me to have my own relationship with the Gospels, and perhaps he quoted Jesus of Nazareth in the process. 'Therefore speak I to them in parables: Because they seeing, see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.'

Times Argus: Vermont News & Information | Libraries prosper in the age of the Internet

Times Argus: Vermont News & Information | Libraries prosper in the age of the Internet
: "SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The rather obscure National Library Card Sign-up Month is fast approaching -- and yes, people do still have library cards.

Despite the Internet explosion, people are still using libraries, and they are doing it more often than you might think. Visits to public libraries have doubled over the past decade, according to a 2002 study by the American Library Association.

Libraries, which still outnumber McDonald's restaurants, total more than 1 billion visits annually, according to the association. On average, Americans check out six books a year.

Libraries are quietly shedding their stuffy images and starting to morph into Borders, with one advantage --their books are free.

'At some points, there were predictions that the Internet was going to be the end of libraries, but we've seen the opposite,' said Larra Clark, media relations manager for the American Library Association.

Coffee bars, comfortable chairs and extensive reading areas are some of the features found in large bookstores that are making their way to libraries nationwide.

'I think Borders has stolen some really good ideas from libraries, and now we're just returning the favor,' said Alison Landers, deputy director of public services for the Sacramento Public Library.

The biggest draw to public libraries, Clark and Landers agree, is technology-- specifically, computers with Internet access.

According to the American Library Association, 95 percent of public libraries provide public access to the Internet."

Will Google’s Keyword Searching Eliminate the Need for LC Cataloging and Classification?

Found this paper via Library Link of the Day. Will Google’s Keyword Searching Eliminate the Need for LC Cataloging and Classification?:
Article Abstract:
"Google Print does not 'change everything' regarding the need for professional cataloging and classification of books; its limitations make cataloging and classification even more important to researchers. Google's keyword search mechanism, backed by the display of results in 'relevance ranked' order, is expressly designed and optimized for quick information seeking rather than scholarship. Internet keyword searching does not provide scholars with the structured menus of research options, such as those in OPAC browse displays, that they need for overview perspectives on the book literature of their topics. Keyword searching fails to map the taxonomies that alert researchers to unanticipated aspects of their subjects. It fails to retrieve literature that uses keywords other than those the researcher can specify; it misses not only synonyms and variant phrases but also all relevant works in foreign languages. Searching by keywords is not the same as searching by conceptual categories. Google software fails especially to retrieve desired keywords in contexts segregated from the appearance of the same words in irrelevant contexts. As a consequence of the design limitations of the Google search interface, researchers cannot use Google to systematically recognize relevant books whose exact terminology they cannot specify in advance. Cataloging and classification, in contrast, do provide the recognition mechanisms that scholarship requires for systematic literature retrieval in book collections."

ChannelOklahoma.com - News - Library Sets Up Special Collection For 'Sensitive' Books

ChannelOklahoma.com - News - Library Sets Up Special Collection For 'Sensitive' Books: "After a complaint about children's books with homosexual content, a library commission has decided to place youth material of a sensitive nature in a special collection in the adult section.

Members of the Metropolitan Library Commission voted 10-7 Thursday to place such 'easy, easy-reader and tween' books dealing with 'sensitive or controversial topics' into a special collection that only will be accessible by 'adults in authority.'

In public comments before the vote, Richard Harris held open a book he said was from the library's young adult section and displayed a page with rows of nude figures.

'Do you want your kids looking at this without you being there?' Harris said.

Mike Canfield, representing the American Civil Liberties Union, urged the commissioners to 'honor the library system's long-standing tradition of free access to knowledge.'

The commission didn't decide Thursday how librarians would enforce such a plan and also did not rule on which books would be in this adults-only section. Instead, they voted to form a committee to make those choices."

Okiedoke - Vintage Okie opinion :: Stump a librarian

Okie Doke queries Mary Hardin--and learns a thing or two about ODL's Ask-A-Librarian service.

I added a couple new links in the okie resources list on the right sidebar; one of which is Ask-a-Librarian. But I got to wondering; With today’s Internet search engines, what could a person possibly ask a librarian that Google couldn’t answer just as well? Mostly genealogy, was my guess. So of course I asked a librarian.

Be sure to read his entire post!

First Patriot Act Library Records Enforcement | MetaFilter

As always interesting to see the non-librarian perspective provided by Metafilter contributors.

First Patriot Act Library Records Enforcement | MetaFilter: "The FBI has issued the first demand for library records under the Patriot Act. The library in question is somewhere in Bridgeport, CT. The ACLU is seeking an emergency court order to lift the FBI gag order, but they've been instructed by the gag to keep the person whose library records being sought (i.e., their client) a secret. What the ACLU has revealed is that the client is a member of the American Library Association (clearly, a front for terrorism). If any MeFites are interested in digging up additional details on this and start making calls, here's a good place to start. What indeed would the FBI consider so threatening?"

Search specialist stakes its claim on names | CNET News.com

Gee--should we all be re-assured that the security world is just now using "See also" references and authority control as an important tool in fighting terrorism? Confused by what I mean?

Go to your library catalog and type in the author name Mark Twain or Twain, Mark (whichever tickles your fancy).
The subject for this person is
Twain, Mark, 1835-1910 and you may also see a "note" or "see also"

In my catalog you'll see a button that says note and the note tells me:

For works of this author written under other names, search also under
Clemens, Samuel Langhorne, 1835-1910,
Snodgrass, Quintus Curtius, 1835-1910
Louis de Conte, 1835-1910

Libraries have been using this technique since...well since the old fashion card catalogs (the one's with cards and drawers). Maybe we should start marketing our "trade secrets" to a wider market?

Search specialist stakes its claim on names | CNET News.com: "Why would a company or government agency need to adopt specialized search technology just for finding references to a person's name?

Among other reasons: Because Raouf Gadi, Elraouf Djeddi and Abdulrauf Aljadai might be the same person--and a regular search engine wouldn't reflect that.

Language Analysis Systems, or LAS, of Herndon, Va., has devised a series of tools for solving one of the thornier, but often overlooked, problems in search: finding data on a particular individual in a multicultural, error-prone world. The company's software takes into account alternative spellings, cultural nuances and other linguistic issues as part of an attempt to return the most relevant information for a search query, rather than a laundry list of close matches.
Jack Hermansen
Jack Hermansen

The company's tools are mostly sold to law enforcement, intelligence and border agencies, but financial institutions and other businesses--hoping to ferret out fraud or merely improve their customer databases--have begun to adopt the technology too, said Jack Hermansen, chief executive and co-founder of LAS.

Since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, security and intelligence agencies have been hunting vigorously for technology that will help them gather information on potential terrorists. Pixlogic, for instance, has developed software meant to spot anomalies or suspicious individuals in videotape from security cameras. Language Weaver, meanwhile, has come up with an Arabic-English real-time translation tool.

"The penalties for missing a name are enormous," Hermansen said. "Someone could die.""

MetroLibrary System & creation of "special collection"

The latest MetroLibrary Commission Meeting Minutes (discussing the King & King controversy) can be found here.

Starting on page 60 you get into the Special Collections section.

The overview (found on pg. 61) explains

At the request of the commission, library staff was asked to review and research two recommendations for possible revision to the selection policy. These revisions were suggested in order for the library system to move forward and find "common ground" in which to solve the access issues that have been raised

In all libraries you have to look at all the factors involved in establishing a "special collection" of any type. The Minutes explain Metro's thought process really well. One particular part I appreciate is this explanation.

In order to establish a special collection, the topics and/or type of material to be included must be clearly defined. All materials that meet that definition must then be identified.
...
The subject guidelines in the proposal are broad enough to potentially include a wide range of subjects and a large number of materials.

I would also suggest reading Attachment B - Self-Assessment Exercise. It contains:

...titles and the subject matter they reflect were selected on the basis of 1) requests made by parents for materials on the subject for their child, and/or 2) specific comments or concerns raised by adults about the availability of a title or subject to children. Subject headings from the library's catalog are given for each title as well as a synopsis from the Library of Congress cataloging information.

Some of the titles include:

Ginger Brown: Too Many Houses, by Sharon Wyeth
Synopsis - When her parents get a divorce, Ginger lives for awhile with each set of grandparents and begins to understand her mixed heritage.

Papa's Latkes, by Michelle Edwards
Synopsis - On the first night of Hanukkah after Mama died, Papa and his two daughters try to make latkes and celebrate without her.

Berenstain Bears no guns allowed, by Stan Berenstain
Synopsis - when an increase in rudeness and aggressive behavior is noticed at Bear Country School, teachers and parents decide that something must be done.

Spooky ABC, by Eve Merriam
Synopsis - A poem for each letter of the alphabet introduces a different, spooky aspect of Halloween.

To be a drum, by Evelyn Coleman
Synopsis - Daddy Wes tells how Africans were brought to America as slaves but promises the children that as long as they hear the rhythm of the earth, they will be free.

King & King, by Linda de Haan
Synopsis - When the queen insists that the prince get married and take over as king, he rejects a number of eligible princesses before choosing the brother of one of them as his mate.

Metro also explains how it looked at TCCL's model of "special parenting collection.

It goes on to discuss how these issues will impact the jobs of the staff--not just the "technical" aspects but the "public" aspects as well. And I really enjoyed this statement regarding book ratings--if only more people understood this.

There is no independent body providing widely recognized and accepted ratings for materials that might be sensitive or controversial comparable to the MPAA rating of feature films.

Also please be sure to read the Conclusion on page 66.

Comments/suggestions/questions are highly encouraged for this library story.