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Posts from the ‘Public libraries’ Category

Sep 13

What’s up at WiscNet? Learning opportunity

WiscNet is hosting a “What’s up at WiscNet?” session next Thursday.  We know the developments at WiscNet are critical to many of our members, so we wanted to share this information with all of you, from John Pederson:

Hello everybody! A number of folks are asking when the final installment of “What the FAQ WiscNet?” will roll out. Thursday, September 19th, 10:00am. I’m hosting a Google Hangout next week that will both recap where we’ve been [Part #1], [Part #2] and address the most recent developments regarding WiscNet. I know many of you are either coming back off summer break or rebounding from the craziness surrounding teachers and students coming back to school. This will be an excellent chance to catch up on what you need to know about the recent past, present, and future status of WiscNet and the aftermath of another legislative budget session late last spring.

What’s Up at WiscNet? The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Thursday, September 19, 2013 – 10:00am – 11:00am
Google Hangout We’ll be online around 9:45am.

 

Sep 10

Free Genealogy Webinars for Librarians

The Wisconsin Historical Society is sponsoring a series of FREE webinars specifically tailored for public librarians. Interest in genealogy is growing, and these webinars will help librarians meet that growth with resources, research methods, services, and preparation.

The first two webinars focus on two of the most widely used genealogy websites, Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. Your patrons are likely to know these the best, so become more familiar with these complex websites by signing up for our webinars on September 16th and September 18th.

The webinar on September 24th will discuss the genealogy collections and services found at the Wisconsin Historical Society, one of the top 5 genealogy collections in the country. Lastly, for more information, websites, and resources to send you off, join us for the final webinar in the series on September 30th.

To sign up for any or all of these sessions, email asklibrary@wisconsinhistory.org. More information is available at http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/libraryarchives/classes/.

All sessions are scheduled for 1:00-2:30pm and will be led by Lori Bessler, Reference Librarian and Outreach Coordinator for the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Library-Archives.

Sep 6

Connect with Colleagues at a WiLS regional meeting!

Harness the collective knowledge of Wisconsin librarians by joining us for one of six regional community meetings hosted by WiLS!  Connect with colleagues from around your region to get perspective and advice on upcoming projects or current challenges.  Hear what others are doing to move their library service forward in spite of shrinking budgets.  Share your stories about interesting initiatives and collaborate with others on theirs.  These free events are open to anyone, of any library type…and your partner organizations, too.  There will probably be cookies!

There are six meetings around the state:

  • South Central – UW-Rock County (Janesville), Tuesday September 24th, 1:00 – 4:00 pm (WiLS host: Stef Morrill)
  • Northwest – Chippewa Valley Museum (Eau Claire), Monday September 30th, 1:00 – 4:00 pm (WiLS host: Emily Pfotenhauer)
  • Northeast – Nicolet College (Rhinelander), Thursday October 3rd, 1:00 – 4:00 pm (WiLS host: Andrea Coffin)
  • East Central – Fond du Lac Public Library (Fond du Lac), Monday October 7th, 1:00 – 4:00 pm (WiLS host: Bruce Smith)
  • Southeast — Carthage College (Kenosha), Wednesday October 9th, 1:00 – 4:00 pm (WiLS host: Jeff Brunner)
  • Southwest – Southwest Wisconsin Library System (Fennimore), Thursday October 10th, 1:00 – 4:00 pm (WiLS host: Sara Gold)

Click here to register for a meeting.

Details about each location will be sent out closer to the meeting date, and if you are interested in speaking to the group for three to five minutes regarding a topic of particular interest to you or the community, either indicate that on your registration form or contact the WiLS host for the session you are attending.  We hope to see you there!

Sep 4

WPLC Participates in OverDrive’s Big Library Read!

Here are a few details:
  • Title: Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth by Jane O’Connor (published April 2012)
  • Formats: eBook (Kindle [US only], OverDrive Read, EPUB) | Audiobook (MP3, WMA)
  • Lending model: Both the eBook and audiobook will be available for simultaneous use.
  • How does the program work?  The title(s) will be featured in a prominent location on the WPLC digital library website,  at no cost. All card holders can borrow the title(s) at any time during the program to participate in the Big Library Read (simultaneous use, no wait lists). The title(s) will expire at the end of the lending period and not at the end of the program.
  • When is the next Big Library Read?  The next Big Library Read will begin September 16 at 12 AM EST and run through September 30, 2013 at 12 AM EST.
  • What resources are available to promote the Big Library Read?  A marketing kit is available for Wisconsin public libraries to spread the word to your community and invite them to participate in the Big Library Read.  OverDrive will promote Big Library Read on the WPLC digital library website via a graphic and a link on the title details pages for more information about Big Library Read.

For all the details Click here

Sep 1

Practical advice from real users of the new WorldShare ILL

OCLC has an upcoming webinar on WorldShare ILL that may be of interest to WiLS members:

Who’s Using WorldShare ILL Now? Practical advice from real users
In this webinar, four OCLC WorldShare® ILL users will share practical advice about completing a successful transition to the new service.

Date: September 5, 2013
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Register for this webinar here

 

Aug 21

This Just In! OverDrive 3.0 for Android and iOS

Yesterday, OverDrive debuted version 3.0 for Android and iOS devices.  New features include:

  • Redesigned, gesture-based user interface
  • OverDrive One: sync your reading position and bookmarks across devices
  • Easy access to navigation menus
  • Enhanced help features, including guidance for new users and an in-app Help menu
  • History: view and manage your downloaded titles
  • Variable speed audiobook playback (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch only)

We look forward to working with this!  See this document for more information:  http://partners.overdrive.com/files/TrainingCenter/2013/omc3.pdf.  Or visit the OverDrive Learning Center to watch the recent webinar:  http://partners.overdrive.com/learning-center/on-demand/.

Aug 5

OCLC WebJunction hosts webinar on Libraries & Health Insurance

On July 26, OCLC WebJunction held a webinar on Libraries & Health Insurance:

For many Americans, libraries are the “go to” places for consumer health information. Open enrollment for the new Health Insurance Marketplace begins on October 1 and libraries will likely see local demand for information. IMLS is working together with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare and with WebJunction and ZeroDivide to provide library staff with the online resources and community contacts they will need to respond to questions about the Marketplace. Please join us to learn more about how your library can increase awareness and involvement around these needs.

The complete archive from this session is now available.

You can also sign up to receive updates about this project.

Jun 26

Recorded Books / RBdigital

Website: https://www.recordedbooks.com/
Library Type: Public, K-12, Academic, Special
License Agreement: None Online
Contact: Sara Gold at or 608-616-0355; Jeff Brunner at or 414-367-9457; Andi Coffin at or 414-979-9457; Coop Info at or 608-218-4480
Request Price Quote

Vendor Description

Recorded Books is the largest independent producer of audiobooks in the world.
Our RBdigital platform distributes the broadest array of digital content types–including audiobooks, eBooks, magazines, comics, entertainment, and education–all in one powerful app – now with more affordable unlimited content.

Click here to access the RBdigital service trial.  When registering an account, use Access Code rolls (lowercase) and select “WiLS System Trials” as the library.

Products Available

All RBdigital products
https://www.recordedbooks.com/Our-Products/RBdigital

RBdigital Unlimited Audiobooks
https://demo.recordedbooks.com/rbunlimited-website

RBdigital Magazines
https://www.recordedbooks.com/Our-Products/Magazines-Comics/Magazines

Transparent Language Online (language learning program)
https://www.recordedbooks.com/Our-Products/Education/Transparent-Language-Online

Hoonuit (video-based hardware and software training)
https://www.recordedbooks.com/Our-Products/Education/Hoonuit

Law Depot (customize and print your own legal documents)
https://www.recordedbooks.com/Our-Products/Education/LawDepot

 

Click here to access the RBdigital service trial.  When registering an account, use Access Code rolls (lowercase) and select “WiLS System Trials” as the library.
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