SNAP & GO - Library Mobile Access

Emerging Technologies Specialist Susan Kantor announced "Snap & Go!", a Contra Costa County Library mobile patron support system to support QR (Quick Response) codes. Susan says the California public library system expanded its "services to people on-the-go by providing mobile access to downloadable audio eBooks, podcasts, reading recommendations, library catalog and account information, and more through QR codes and a new mobile website. The website is part of the Snap & Go project which links customers with cell phones to library services and information." The Contra Costa County Library used funding from a $60,000 BALIS (Bay Area Library & Information Service) Innovation grant to work with Quipu Group to develop a mobile patron support system for pushing new and existing library content and services into the hands of the growing number of people who want to access library services on the go. See the library's press release.

I first learned about QR codes a few months ago at a PINC Conference(now Visual Media Alliance) in San Francisco. It is good to see a California library moving ahead with this and other customer service tools. Kudos to the CCCL and Cathy Sanford's technology team.

Library Without a Librarian -- A Poem

Fifth grade Milwaukee public school teacher Bob Peterson wrote an article in his Rethinking Schools blog. "A Librarian in Every School, Books in Every Home. A Modest Proposal" describes the background and first steps of the advocacy movement one small elementary school has started. Hope it sweeps the nation.

The children from several classes made posters and the Rescue Our Librarians Club members wrote a poem that explained why having a library doesn’t work without a librarian.

A Library Without a Librarian

A library without a librarian is like

A beehive without bees

A tree without leaves

A brownie without chocolate

A forest without trees

A head without a brain

A book without words

An ocean without water

A bird without wings

A zebra without stripes

A tailor without clothes

A barber without scissors

Blood without iron

A bank without money

A fish without gills

A turtle without a shell

All these things are bad, but a

library without a librarian is worse.

Written by members of the Rescue Our Librarians Club at La Escuela Fratney.

The Save Our Librarians Club encourages advocates to join their Facebook page and sign a petition.

School Library Learning 2.0 -- 4th Summer of 2.0 FUN

The California School Library Association is celebrating its 4th "Summer of 2.0 Fun". According to the association's 2.0 Team:

"It's a fabulous, free, fun way to learn.

If you haven't yet taken the plunge, spread your water wings and get your "web feet" wet right now. Today. Don't delay."

Here is a description of the introductory social media tutorials:

• http://schoollibrarylearning2.csla.net/ is the URL for the school library learning tutorial. It's designed for librarians and others who work in and around school libraries.
• http://classroomlearning2.csla.net/ is the URL for the classroom learning 2.0. This tutorial is directed to anyone in education who wants to know more about 2.0 tools.

There's no difference between the "23-things" that are studied in each tutorial... the difference between them lies in the activities and lessons that are suggested for each. Take a look at them both!
The challenge is at http://www.csla.net/res/pdf/CL20-SLL20Summer2010.pdf

Registrations have started to pour in ... especially from across America and "across the pond". The most recent registrations? Florida and Scotland.

There is no time like the present to step into today's technology.
Summer time is the best time to gear up for the next school year.

Eat the Book Contest

Calvin College held its first "Book-Eating" contest. Grand Rapids Press ReporterTim Devaney | The Grand Rapids Press

Calvin librarian Lois Dye started "Books in the Baking" after learning about the International Edible Book Festival, a similar contest that has been celebrated worldwide on April Fool's Day -- also known as Edible Book Day -- since 2000.

Wireless Library Laptop Symbol

Check out the Library Laptop Symbol, which indicates that a library has wireless network for its community. Love it! The National Library Symbol is the "L" with a circle on top and book shape in hand, an image that looks like a person sitting and reading a book. These images are used with public libraries, but why not school and academic libraries too? Many school libraries use wireless to expand access to their online catalogs and web-based resources.

The artwork is available in three sizes and 2 colors (Blue & White or Black & White)

Will we see yet another take-off of the original version, but with a kindle or iPad in hand? Will the ALA Fact Sheet#30 get updated again soon?

Frontline Advocacy: Everybody's Job

Patty Wong and Julie Todaro wrote a May 25, 2010 headline article in American Libraries Direct on "Frontline Advocacy is Everybody's Job". According to ALA President Camila Alire, “The traditional focus has been on how to interact with elected officials and decisionmakers. Frontline advocacy is about everyone else—those not in top-level positions who deal with decisionmakers—learning to articulate the message to people both inside and outside the library.”
Article recommends the ALA Advocacy Toolkit.

Who better can advocate for or tell compelling stories about the power of a school or library?

Bleeding Libraries - A Video Dramatization

Sun Valley High School Teacher Librarian Laura Graff created this video by Los Angeles students and school teacher librarians. Viewers will experience tears of sadness about the tragedy of school libraries in California. It is by lauralee2002 — June 02, 2010 — A dramatization of what will happen to school libraries when poorly conceived budget cuts close libraries. Well done.



Also available on VIMEO.

Hope this makes more people learn more about what is happening to weaken our schools and student access to learning. Learn more about the California School Library Association's Campaign for Strong School Libraries, also known as the "Best Sellers" campaign.

iSchool Librarians do Lady Gaga - YouTube Video

This video should have been sent to the ALA Library Advocacy web video contest! Love it. University of Washington's Information School graduate students and faculty perform a Lady Gaga song, with new lyrics. Directed, edited, and produced by Sarah Wachter. Lyrics by Sarah Wachter. Lyrics available here: http://www.athenasbanquet.net/2010/05/librarians-do-gaga

Sarah and her musical team have a big future ahead of them. Outstanding! Will they go on tour? It's hard to get the song and the images out of my head.

ALA Web Video Contest - Library Advocacy Day

The American Library Association announces its Library Advocacy Day video winner today -- June 1st. There are nine web video contest "finalists".

1. Questions of the Heart by Rachael Harrington
2. Library Lotto by Corrie M.
3. This is Jake by Jake Heidelk
4. The Library, An Opera by Kristine Burns
5. Library Advocacy Day: Baldwinsville Public Library by Julia E. Schult
6. Library Champion by Aspen Walker
7. Imagine from Joyce Valneza (school library)
8. Library Advocacy Day by Paribus Films
9. Library Advocacy Day by Arnold Chu

There is a wide variety. Wish there were more, especially more from America's school and university libraries! There are lots of film schools and classes -- ALA might want to specifically reach out to these campuses and encourage student participation. Art and Film students need to build their personal portfolios, so let's give them some opportunities.