Crossroads
The monthly newsletter from WebJunction.
August 2012
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Sarah Washburn and fellow tech-kno-librarians know the power
of engaging with the community. Photo by davidsilver on Flickr.
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Embracing the Community: the Engaged Library
In this age of
library transformation, many libraries are stepping out and engaging with
community stakeholders and leaders to improve community life. As trusted centers
of the community, they are in a strong position to take bold leadership in
helping their communities address challenging issues. As more libraries move out
of the comfort zone, WebJunction offers some tools and success stories to
encourage them as they translate talk into action.
Resources to explore:
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Mississippi Library Commission is "growing Mississippi's
libraries" on WebJunction.org
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A Big Welcome to WebJunction-Mississippi!
This
month sees the launch of WebJunction-Mississippi as the newest member
of the WebJunction state partner community. The Mississippi Library Commission now offers
MS library staff a single location to access a wide variety of online continuing
education courses to improve their administrative skills and local services for
the community. Both experienced e-learners and those new to self-paced course
technology will find the space and a special place on WebJunction.org to build
their skills and comfort with online learning and to stay in touch with new
training opportunities.
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When the Library and Local Businesses Make a Connection
The
Howell Carnegie District Library (HCDL) in Michigan has a good story to share
about the success of their Business Resource Center, including the bumps they
encountered along the way. Sparked by ideas from the Project Compass Workforce Recovery curriculum* and buoyed by a
grassroots group of regional libraries and nonprofits, HCDL is contributing to
the economic health of their community by connecting local businesses with
quality information and with each other.
Find
out more about their strategies, business resources and lessons learned in Economic necessity is the mother of re-invention.
*Project Compass is an IMLS-funded project providing training
and resources to library staff to enhance their workforce recovery services to
patrons.
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An International Leader in Our Midst
The
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
recently announced that WebJunction staffer Zola Maddison has been selected as an
Associate for the IFLA International Leaders
Programme. Zola joins 11 other Associates from around the world who
will participate from 2012 to 2014, building knowledge and experience in working
with library representatives at the international level. The list of projects
that Associates will work on includes open access, copyright exceptions and
limitations, models for regional collaboration, libraries as agents for
development, and access to digital content.
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Congratulations to Zola Maddision, 2012-2014 IFLA
Associate!
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Becoming a Mobile-Friendly Library
According
to a recent Pew Internet study, nearly half of adults in the U.S. are now
smartphone owners. Although access to technology is still seriously divided,
when it comes to smartphone ownership, Hispanics and African-Americans have
outpaced the (non-Hispanic) White population 49% to 45%.
Andromeda
Yelton, author of an ALA Library Technology
Report on library mobile services, discussed the implications of these new
findings for libraries in her July webinar on Bridging the Digital Divide with Mobile
Services. Read a summary of how new findings emphasize a growing need for mobile services,
peruse the abundant helpful resources, or view the archived recording if you missed the
session.
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Andromeda Yelton, author of the blog Across Divided Networks,
presented our July webinar. Photo by Molly
Tomlinson.
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Digital Inclusion resources are growing on WebJunction
If
you’re interested in digital inclusion--that is, strategies for increasing
access to broadband and adoption of digital technologies in your community--keep
your eye on the growing collection of articles and links in the Digital Inclusion section of WebJunction.org. New resources
include:
Your
contributions of content are always welcome; simply sign into WebJunction.org
and click the Submit Document link on the
Digital Inclusion page.
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Results of July Readers' Poll on Digital Literacy Training Outcomes
Looking
for the "why" in digital inclusion efforts at the library, we used last month’s
poll to find out what your patrons are actually able to do as a result of your
digital literacy training. The results indicate a healthy amount of practical
application of newfound skills—a testament to a grounded approach to technology
training. Making social connections with family and friends (93.8%) has a narrow
lead over completing an online job application (89.6%). Even the lowest
percentage for the emergency services smartphone apps (20.8%) is
impressive.
Other patron activities not on the
list include:
- Skyped a videoconference visit with family in Asia
- downloaded free software to run a business, placed advertisements, built a website
- learned how to create and compose documents, spreadsheets, and slideshows
- downloaded and printed coupons for prescriptions, food, health products, free bowling!
"There is nothing
like the look on a patron's face when they realize that they CAN use the
computer and accomplish things that they previously thought were not
achievable."
In
the poll, we asked you to share stories about patrons who have been positively
and practically impacted by the digital literacy training offered at your
library. Scroll to the end of the Yellow Brick Road article to read the contributions from our
readers.
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Register for Free WebJunction Webinars |
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Spotlight on WebJunction Partners |
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Spotlight on WebJunction-Pennsylvania
WebJunction-Pennsylvania provides a simple
way to connect library staff in PA to a wide array of professional development
opportunities, technology training, and to each other. Pennsylvania's Office of
Commonwealth Libraries and HSLC/Access PA have collaborated to help staff
connect with the latest news in Pennsylvania through PA Programs & Services, Related Topics, Training and Resources.
Spotlight on WebJunction-Idaho
The Idaho Commission for Libraries has
partnered with WebJunction to provide access to workshops, courses and
conferences focusing on professional development. Through staff development and
heightened awareness of current and evolving practices, Idaho librarians will
enrich their customers' library experience. Take a look at WebJunction-Idaho today and learn more about
Idaho's latest initiative— online @ your library.
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