Tag Archives: Resource

Books, General, School Media Specialist

Book Pirates help early literacy

Don’t mess with the Book Pirates! The name sounds tough, but this organization has a great goal in mind, and works to promote literacy with kids.

This article from the LITA Blog introduces the “Book Pirates,” or as they are called in their native Germany, “Buecherpiraten.” The goal of the Pirates is to “use the combined powers of digital publishing and self publishing to empower children and young people ages 3 to 19 to tell their own story, in their own mother tongue.”

Kids (of all ages!) can make their own picture book with artwork and stories which gets published on the Book Pirates website. Then, the book is available for free download in first and second language of choice, and can be created into several different formats (tablet, regular book, etc).

It makes sense that this program has been very successful with refugee children. It provides a place to tell their story, which can then be read in their native language, as well as in their new language.

You can make your own picture book, become a translator, or just get more information by visiting their website.

Programs, Resources

Is your library serving people with dementia?

In 2015, the Alzheimer’s and Related Interest Group (IGARD) of ASCLA/ALA conducted its first National Survey of Current Practices (Excel spreadsheet).

Since that time, many more libraries across the country have begun offering programs and services directly to persons living with dementia in their communities.  IGARD would like to update its previous survey in order to get an up-to-date picture of what libraries are doing in this important area of service.

If you are one of these innovative libraries, please self-identify by completing this brief survey – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2017-library-dementia-survey.

If you responded to the earlier survey, we would appreciate an updated response.  Results of this updated survey will be accumulated and posted on the IGARD Web page before ALA’s Annual Conference in June.

If your library has not yet begun offering services to this growing segment of your community or is at the beginning stages, please note that IGARD is also hosting a Preconference before the Annual Conference entitled “Becoming a Dementia Friendly Library: Serving People Living with Dementia in Your Community”.  We are bringing in experts from the field of dementia care to provide background information and will be presenting several case studies of successful programs for this too often forgotten population. The preconference has been listed in the Conference Scheduler.

Thank you in advance for your assistance with the survey and for your good work improving the quality of life for those living with dementia!  Feel free to forward this message to any other colleagues who might be interested in responding to the survey.

Academic, Resources, Special

“Understanding Metadata” from NISO

Learning process and quality standardsAt CMLE Headquarters, we want to be sure everyone has access to all kinds of library information that might help you in your work! Many of you may not (yet?) work with metadata – but those who do will find this guide helpful. And if you want to learn more about metadata, from the National Information Standards Organization, they are providing this online guide free!

Take a few minutes to flip through this; maybe you will get some new ideas about your own information organization! Continue reading “Understanding Metadata” from NISO →

Academic, Check this out:, CMLE, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Writing a Great Library Job Ad (Hiring Series #1)

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Your secret weapon to bring in the best library employees!

hiring
Ads bring people to your library!

Everyone has seen job ads. You probably have your current job because you followed one back to your employer.

What do you think of when you think job ad?

  • tedious list of requirements (you don’t even meet some of them)
  • no salary given
  • clipped sentences, acronyms that sound like a bad dating app
  • sounds just like every other ad you read

Too often, this is just what library ads are: a dull, colorless list of requirements assembled without a lot of thought about (or knowledge of) a job. People apply, sure. But are they interested in your library? Are they inspired by your job? Or do they just want a job, any job, and yours is no worse than others??

Job ads can be a way to really show off the best in your organization. Instead of that dull list of stuff that people may or may not ever actually do, this is an opportunity to sell your library as a good place to work. (If it’s not a good place to work, that is a different issue; and one you may want to address before hiring anyone else!)

Continue reading Writing a Great Library Job Ad (Hiring Series #1) →

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Recommended App: Duolingo

DuoLingoRecently, the AASL came out with their 25 Best Apps for Teaching & Learning for 2014.  The apps were chosen because they foster innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration.

Duolingo is one such app.  The app encourages students to learn another language by rewarding points for correct translations.  The app starts off easy and is simple to use.  AASL provides a tip: use the app along with geography lessons to get students interested in learning another language!

The app is free and is available on iOS and Google Play.  It is recommended for 3rd through 12th graders.  Check out the promotional video:

For more apps, check out our 2014 Recommended App archive!