Infoblog

"Sunnyvale Voices: From Settlers to Silicon" includes more than 20 short reminiscences about the history of Sunnyvale as told by residents (Vince Cala's were my favorite.) Each oral history is available in print, audio, and video. The project was funded with an LSTA grant. If you're thinking about doing an oral history project for your community, more information about what it involves can be found in the Project Manual [PDF].
Are there other California Libraries using YouTube? Please let us know via the comment section.

Posted by carole leita at 4:07 PM in How We Did It Good | Interesting Libraries | Web 2.0 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Marylaine Block, librarian—turned—freelance author (American Libraries, Information Today, Library Journal) has written a book (available from Information Today) about libraries with successful services that got them community support and funding. Chapters cover youth services, the library as place, partnerships, marketing, economic value in the community, Library 2.0, outreach, and helping the community reach its aspirations. The ultimate how-we-did-it-good handbook for today's public library. Highly recommended for all public librarians so they can mark-up the chapters with ideas translatable to their library. Kathleen de la Peña McCook said it well: “A solid, well-documented foundation—amazingly grounded in strategic plans—that provides both a path and an inspiration to public libraries that want to flourish as third places.”

Posted by carole leita at 9:31 AM in How We Did It Good | Permalink

We recently received an email from Lauren John announcing the publication of her new book, Running Book Discussion Groups: A How-To-Do-It-Manual by Neal-Schuman publishers. ($65)

Lauren says, "The book is a direct result of online classes that I taught for Infopeople in 2004 and 2005. Infopeople is acknowledged in (where else?) the acknowledgment page and suggestions/ comments from one of my class bulletin boards are included in Chapter Four (pages 50-54)-- "Planning When and Where to Meet" (I got permission first from the librarians, Sandy Smith of Lodi, Deborah Dean of Shasta County, and Pat Koskinen of Oroville who posted)."

To order the book, go to:
http://www.neal-schuman.com/db/4/524.html

It is also selling on Amazon.

Congratulations, Lauren, on this accomplishment!

Posted by holly hinman at 2:27 PM in Cool Tools | How We Did It Good | Infopeople News | People | Permalink

Comments received about Infopeople's workshop Survival Spanish for Library Staff taught by Patricia Jimenez:

"Getting the basics of how Spanish works was extremely helpful. The library phrases and vocabulary were well thought out and useful. The course materials are very valuable."

"What I found most valuable was the way material was directed towards our specific needs."

What I found most valuable was practicing the language, clever games, written content, well organized and a great teacher."

To find out when new sessions are being offered, sign up for the IFPworkshops mailing list, or check the Infopeople Events Calendar!

Posted by at 9:30 AM in How We Did It Good | Permalink

Comments received about Infopeople's workshop, Living with Change: Coping and Stress Reduction in the Library Workplace:

"What I found most valuable was the motivation techniques and the relaxation exercises. They made me really think about my approach to stress inducing situations and I'm not usually so introspective."

"Thank you for this class. I needed it at this time. I am very stressed at my job!"

"What I found most valuable was remembering to take time for family and friends and how to turn negatives into positives."

To find out when new sessions are being offered, sign up for the IFPworkshops mailing list, or check the Infopeople Events Calendar!

Posted by at 2:09 PM in How We Did It Good | Permalink

Comments received about Infopeople's workshop: Oil on the Waters: Practical Techniques for Calming Difficult Library Users, taught by Edmond Otis:

"Edmond Otis did a Great Job!"
"I think this workshop should be mandatory for all public contact personnel and I will put the skills I learned to use as soon as I get back to the library."
"I think many people on staff would benefit from this workshop - can we have it again?"
"Good mix of lecture and exercises. Great presentation style, easy to follow, good examples, engaging."

Register now for sessions in July, October and November!

Posted by at 7:43 AM in How We Did It Good | Permalink

Spinning Straw into Gold: Becoming a Storyteller at the Library is a popular offering taught by Gay Ducey. Here are some comments from recent attendees:

"Everything was valuable - Gay is wonderful, I could listen to her forever."
"What I found most valuable was understanding the power of storytelling for different ages and learning techniques and strategies for learning to tell stories."
"What I found most valuable was the advice on learning stories. I enjoyed the metaphor about the storyteller being the vessel and letting the story itself take center stage."
"Make it longer. This is the first time in a long time I wished the day wouldn't end. It was fantastic!"
"It was all great! The best class I've ever taken!"
"This workshop was truly amazing. Gay's technique as an instructor was like a storyteller - My mind never wandered - the opportunities we had to try out storytelling today were very helpful and rewarding."

Openings are still available in Mountain View on June 24, but join the wait list for the other dates if So Cal works better for you - the wait lists help us know when to add more sessions (yes, we pay attention to them!).

Posted by at 9:05 AM in How We Did It Good | Permalink

New Customer Service Techniques for Libraries: Learning from Fish and Pickle, an Infopeople workshop taught by Cheryl Gould:

"Cheryl Gould is a great instructor! Her teaching tools and techniques are fun but informative at the same time. I had a great day!"
"Cheryl's pace of presenting material was excellent. She made learning FUN!"
"This course motivated me. I've been in a funk and needed a push w/in myself to make some changes at work (and at home)."
"What I found most valuable was the easy going and pleasant atmosphere. I'll use the skills I've learned to be positive and do the best I can to provide good service. Thank you for a wonderful training."

Stay up with Infopeople training by joining the IFPworkshops mailing list!

Posted by at 1:54 PM in How We Did It Good | Permalink

Infopeople is rolling out a new version of Free, Fast, and Factual: Online Ready Reference Sources for 2005 and Beyond, now being taught by Infopeople's own LiB, Sarah Houghton. Some comments from an early preview class:

"I will be able to be more effective with patrons, having learned of these websites..."

"Quality and quantity of material presented was wonderful. Sarah has a great way of making things fun as well as informative."

"I'll use much of this daily in my work at the adult reference desk in public libraries."

"...Instructor is very knowledgable and easy to follow."

Sign up soon for sessions running July through October 2005! And remember, it's easy to keep up with Infopeople's new workshop offerings if you join the ifpworkshops mailing list!

Posted by at 10:12 AM in How We Did It Good | Permalink

"...comprehensive discussion, beginning with library security principles and continuing through user security...."

That's what Janet L. Balas had to say about our Library Computer and Network Security pages.

Janet's article, "Close the Gate, Lock the Windows, Bolt the Doors: Security Library Computers", appeared in the March 2005 issue of Computers in Libraries.

She also mentions other good resources including WebJunction's Security pages. In fact, that's how she found our pages!

Thanks for noticing, Janet and WJ!

Posted by at 5:52 PM in How We Did It Good | Permalink

From Marylaine Block's February 4 Neat New Ex Libris newsletter.

Libraries Matter is a "promotional campaign, using blue wristbands with this motto. Order them here, and post your specific library cause you'd like people to donate to."

Done by the Alliance Library System of Illinois but open to all libraries. Personal orders aren't possible, but you can order wholesale for your library. My guess is they got the idea from the yellow bracelet promoted by Lance Armstrong, with the words "Live Strong" on it worn by cancer research supporters.

Posted by at 9:08 AM in How We Did It Good | Permalink