Category Archives: Check this out:

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

Are You and Siri BFF’s?

Have you now downloaded iOS7 and gotten somewhat acclimated to the new operating system? If you haven’t done it yet, you may want to review our recent post about the Apple iOS7 Guide. Then, if ready to download, allow ample time as it is a big download and simultaneous downloads have caused a few school servers to crash! So, theoretically, you should now be competent in the iOS7 world, right? If not, read on….

Make Use Of is a site that makes complicated things seem simple and they have come through again! According to them, since being on iOS7,  “If you find yourself fumbling with your iPhone to make a simple phone call, locate and launch an app, set a reminder or wake-up alarm then you’re probably not using Siri enough. If you still don’t know about Siri or you’re new to the iPhone or iPad, Siri allows you to issue voice commands on your device, saving you the trouble of all the tapping, typing, and searching by hand.”  See Do More With Siri Using the New iOS7 Siri Commands to learn more about getting Siri’s assistance.

I can’t help but notice that the Kindle Fire now has a Mayday button which brings “Amy” up on the screen to assist you in using your Kindle, and you just can’t help but like her! I know that many libraries use chat to assist patrons, but maybe we also need the face-to-face help! Something to think about…..

Image by Make Use Of. Retrieved online 11/8/13.
Image by Make Use Of. Retrieved online 11/8/13.
Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Upcoming CMLE Event: Reaching Reluctant Readers

Patrick Jones. Image Retrieved Online 11/7/13.
Patrick Jones.
Image Retrieved Online 11/7/13.

Save the Date!

Join Central MN Libraries Exchange (CMLE)

December 6, 2013 from 1-4:00 PM

 Stearns History Museum, St. Cloud, Minnesota.

State-wide reluctant reader expert, author and librarian Patrick Jones will lead this afternoon event!

Need a substitute to attend? Apply for a CMLE scholarship.

Food, Take A-Ways, Prizes

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

Online Privacy Protection

Image by The Italian Voice. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by The Italian Voice. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

In a world that is increasing dependent on cloud technology, privacy concerns will never be too far behind. Many patrons rely on libraries as their main resource to acquire software and web access. As a result, the  task of protecting privacy defaults, to some extent, to the providers. Libraries are important stakeholders in these conversations.

In the article, Libraries & Privacy in the Internet Age (2013), Eric Phetteplace stated, “Privacy almost always involves some kind of trade-off, for users and for libraries. We need to ensure we’re making the right trade-offs with due diligence.” Phetteplace noted that an important key is to isolate user sessions by supervising access. More proactive approaches to prevention include modifying browsers and educating the public about why their privacy matters.  Click here to learn more about online privacy for your library.

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

Designing a Bookworm's Dream Home

Image retrieved online from Buzzfeed.
Image retrieved online from Buzzfeed 11/6/13.

I love articles that focus on creatively incorporating books and/or bookish themes into functional, whimsical design. At the very least, they can be conversation starters.  The post, 22 Things that Belong in Every Bookworm’s Dream Home (October 2013), is sure to please. 

Just for fun: Consider constructing one of the featured seating options to double as a workstation for your home office and maybe even your library/media center.

  • Would new books in a library display similar to #1, #9 or #20, attract attention and draw readers to peruse the titles?
  • Would students be encouraged to study independently if a library contained seating depicted in #18?
Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

The Role of A Publisher

Image by Drew Coffman. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licensing.
Image by Drew Coffman. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licensing.

Before “it” is in print or available online, many writers seek assistance from a publisher. So, what role can a publisher play in the process?

This October, the Scholarly Kitchen circulated a list of 73 Things Publishers Do (2013 Edition.) This post is a broader, continuation of tasks originally identified in 60 Things Journal Publishers Do (2012.)  The author, Kent Anderson, is the CEO/Publisher of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.  Anderson includes a quick reference to the potential expense(s) for each of the 73 tasks listed ($-$$$$.) He also identifies the difficulty of navigating each undertaking using a metaphoric scheme describing the terrain.