Early Word.Com- Part 1

       The slogan for Early Word is :News for Collection Development and Reader's Advisory Librarians.

       This site is one to visit everyday! It is so helpful in my quest to get the newest and best books for my patrons.  Each day they post articles about books that Librarians need to know about.

      Every Thursday , the site highlights the best seller lists.  Each Friday, there is a 'New Title Radar' which alerts librarians about titles that re ' in the news', new titles by popular authors, and a  watch list  of titles that may take off.

      There are also alerts about books being made into movies. Numerous other features worth mentioning" Gallery Chat: done a monthly basis where librarians chat about the new books not yet published.   Author Chat  which is frequently held with authors about their titles.

  Of course , there are  also book previews, Best book and Award lists, Coming this Month, and Best seller lists.  For Children's and Ya librarians , check out Nancy Perls- Book Lust and  Lisa Von Drasek " Early Word Kids"

Every Thing Library

    EveryThing Library is a website devoted to helping libraries get funding for their community libraries who are in need of funding in order to stay afloat, current , and full of resources.  Everything Library believes that campaigning  and talking to votes about their needs will increase  the libraries  power, services, and help with library initiatives.

   They will and have provided funds to help  sustain major libraries  from having services impacted by budget cuts.( restoring personal and programs)

   This is actually an organization that is dedicated to build voter support. They help libraries to get voters to come on Election day . Training is provided  on various topics: consulting services, conduct feasibility studies, develop fund raising strategies ad train volunteer  in" get out to vote" techniques.

  So even if your library in not is a budget crisis, check out Everything Library - some helpful tips and blog articles await you!

In the Library With Lead Pipe

  The " In the Library With Lead Pipe"site is an open access journal run bu a team of librarians.  There are articles and editorials written  by the team and also includes authors, educators, support staff and community members.

 The goals of Lead Pipe  is to explore new  ideas and start conversations and to help develop solutions to problems and issues  The  requirements for articles is founded in showcasing original research strategies in librarianship, and practical examples. So you will find highly engaging and substantial information  issues and topics.

 Right off the bat, I found several articles that were informative and extensive  - enough to help me correct the issue I was facing.  I will be visiting there again . It will keep the creative juices  interested in developing more intense  discussion with my staff and colleagues.

Library Reads

  Library Reads is a site that wants to  help Librarians connect readers with the best books.  Their goal is to give library staff the knowledge about new books  to share with their patrons.

  Each monthly Library Reads showcases a review of the 10 most popular books.  The aims is to help  many discover great books.  The reviews help staff know what the best books and be able to discuss them with patrons.

 Librarian who want to participate can help nominate the best books  they have read. You can check on the site for information how to join,

Teen Tech Time

    At our Public library System( 3 branches) a Teen Tech time was begun at the beginning of the summer. It is at my branch to start with.

   Our Computer tech guy is young so that appeals to many of the teens- especially the boys.   The guys outnumber the girls in this particular case.

   The first two sessions, the group built a pac- man type video game. they ended up sharing the games with the other in the group for at least three weeks. The Third session , the group learned how to produce a computerized comic strip using the Gimp program.

   I am anxious to see what they will do next!

   The group will be extended to the school year and will move to the branch that is closest to the High school. Hopefully the group will continue to grow. It brings  more youth into the public library , helping them to become aware of all the resources we have available!

Benefits of Technology in the Library

   About 40% of American households lack home Internet access.  A study revealed that people using public libraries as their primary source of access to the Internet and a computer.

  With more technology in libraries , patrons have better and faster access.  They can stay connected to families and friends.  Access also provides the ability to explore the vast information of the Internet .

  Local business persons can use the library , and its  resources ( computer access & otherwise ) to develop plans, net work, conduct market research and explore more opportunities.

  Patrons can take online classes to earn certificates and advanced degrees. Students can use test preparation materials  to prepare and study for SAT or GRE tests. Patrons can search the web to provide information  on purchases ( cars, appliances, data on how to do and how to fix and other areas items of interest.

Open Library

     OpenLibrary.com  is an editable library catalog. Their goal is to have a pager for each book published.  Visitors can contribute new information or make corrections.

  One can browse by subject or author. To date there is over 20 Million records and  growing. There are links to  read free ebooks which can be read from whatever form of computer or ereader you have.  There are also links to borrow books on your device. This is a great Internet  archive..

  There us a daisy format  that provides talking books ( Library of congress national service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped)  Open Library also suggests where the physical book can be purchased.
   I like to click on the lists tab because it fives some very interesting topic book lists. If you sign up amd make an account , there are many ways to help the open library cause and continue to grow their collection.

  Some of a things you can do on Open Library : read, borrow up to 5 titles for 2 weeks, with 1000
 librarians participating.