Sonoma State University Library Channel

Does your library have a Library Channel? Sonoma State University library does! It's website leads students to library tutorials, tours, and more by offering a link to its Library Channel. Voices of at least four academic librarians walk students through the mini-tutorials.

Selections include:

• Explore-a-floor (click on one of 3 floor plans to hear what resources are located there). Very friendly! I think I recognize that voice!
• Create a library PIN
• Find Books (on the Snoopy Library Catalog)
• Find a Journal
• Choose a Database
• Find Articles
• Reserve Items (for courses)
  
• eReserves (electronic course reserves)
• Library Orientation Quiz

In addition to inviting students to the Library Channel, SSU librarians offer help with icons for in-person, phone, e-mail, chat, and suggestions. The site also includes a "Staff Pick". This is all so good to see. Now to start looking at other university, public, and school library websites to see what's new for the new school year.

Sonoma State University Library is officially named the Jean & Charles Schulz Information Center. Charles Schulz is the creator of the popular, long-running comic Snoopy.

Brag: the Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It

Finished reading Peggy Klaus' book, "Brag: the Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It."

California School Library Association (CSLA) president Connie Hamner Williams announced that it was an ideal book for members to read before the November 2009 conference in Ontario. Started a One Book, One Conference discussion page on the book on the CSLA conference wiki.

Check out Peggy's video, BRAG! It's not a 4-letter word. School and Public Libraries would be great places to host a Brag! party for teens.

"I Love My Librarian" Award

The American Library Association has announced the 2009 Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award. Friends, families, parents, teachers, staff, students, and community members have until October 9th to nominate their favorite librarian. If you qualify, be sure to let your fans know! Rock the vote so there will be some K12 teacher librarian award winners.

Qualifications: "Each nominee must be a librarian with a master’s degree from a program accredited by the ALA in library and information studies or a master’s degree with a specialty in school library media from an educational unit accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Nominees must be currently working in the United States in a public library, a library at an accredited two- or four-year college or university or at an accredited K-12 school."

Luanne Comic Strip focus on Libraries

The comic strip, Luanne, is about a teen's life. This series has Luanne working in her public library. A cute guy asks her to show her around the library because he is doing a school report on public libraries. See the full series at the Luanne website, where you can also comment or rate the 3-panel comic. These are from August 17-18-19.







I couldn't resist rating and commenting. Here is what I added:
"I spent 2 terms on my local library foundation board, raising money for a larger, high-tech building. It is fun to visit it now and walk around the 3 floors to see how it is being used by the community. It is always packed! People start gathering outside the front door about 15 minutes before it opens. Many rush to the banks of computer terminals. Young parents and nannies head to the children's dept with their young ones. Personally, I like to go straight to the 3rd floor coffee shop and the teen center (teens are in school or still asleep in the mornings), pull out my netbook and start working. Everyone should take a field trip to their local library and ask for a tour -- a lot has changed over the years."

Library Card Sign-Up Month

September is Library Card Sign-Up month, when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all and the “smartest card” in every wallet.. This year’s Honorary Chair is Candace Parker – WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist.

Print and audio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) featuring Parker are available for download, as are sample press materials, including a press release, letter to the editor, proclamation, PSA scripts and smartest card logos. For more information, see ALA Campaign Coordinator Megan McFarlane at www.ala.org/librarycardsignup.

Library Card Sign-Up Month has been observed each September since 1987. Public and school libraries often work together to promote it. Ideally, school districts should include library card sign-up information for all new and returning students.