Category Archives: Communication

Communication, General

Libraries in the comics

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Libraries, and library people, are -as we all know – fascinating! All kinds of great things happen in libraries, and every day is a potential adventure for us.

This has not gone unnoticed.

There are many comics out there that are set in libraries, and when you read through them it can be so fun to say “Yes! That happened to me!” or “Eeek! That sounds so scary!”

Do you have other favorites? Add them in the comments below! We would love to hear about more!

One of the most famous library comics is the now-retired Unshelved. It’s all about the adventures of Dewey – a librarian who may not be the best example of great service. Other characters include his well-meaning (but not terribly effective) manager, the enthusiastic children’s librarian, a senior Reference librarian, and a few other library staffers.

You can follow the creators’ schedule, as they travel to all kinds of library conferences; and you can buy all kinds of neat things in their online store – including my favorite shirt:

Continue reading Libraries in the comics →

Academic, Communication, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist, Services, Special

Register now! SAMMIE’s Webinar for Librarians

Looking for a great Continuing Education opportunity? Another of Minnesota’s multitypes is hosting a webinar specifically for librarians!

The Southwest Area Multicounty Multitype Interlibrary Exchange (SAMMIE) is hosting an online conference on Friday, February 3rd beginning at 9am. The topics that will be covered include Event Planning at 9am, Grant Writing at 11am, Emotional Intelligence at 1pm, and Space Planning at 3pm. SAMMIE has gathered several different experts to present on the subjects.

Get more information and register here! Take advantage of this great Continuing Ed opportunity from a different multitype system! And if you are looking for more Continuing Education opportunities, make sure to check out our calendar.

CMLE, Communication, General, Resources, Services

Teen Volunteers in the library? Keep them busy!

Volunteering SVG

Does your library have teens as volunteers?

Are you struggling to find tasks for them?

Are you thinking about teens, and making some work plans?

You are not alone!

These are ideas you might consider for giving your teen volunteers (or other volunteers!) some tasks in your library. These are all currently being used by libraries around the country, so should be helpful in your library.

Do you have other suggestions? Share them in the comments! We could all use ideas for making a volunteer experience valuable for the teens and for the library!

Continue reading Teen Volunteers in the library? Keep them busy! →

Communication, General

Let’s Advocate! Library Legislative Day!!

Do you like libraries?

Do you want to have well-funded libraries?

At CMLE Headquarters, we do too!!

We encourage you all to consider attending the Minnesota Library Legislative day. It will happen on Wednesday, February 22, with an optional ceremony and briefing session the night before that. Register in advance, so everyone can be excited to look forward to seeing you there! Continue reading Let’s Advocate! Library Legislative Day!! →

Communication, General, Resources

Ransomware hits St. Louis Public Library!

MalwareWe have probably all heard about ransomware attacks on organizations, but it’s hard to believe libraries could be a target of these coordinated attacks.

But those ideas are wrong; and this week the St Louis Public Library is serving as our latest warning.

“Hackers have infected every public computer in the St. Louis Public Library system, stopping all book borrowing and cutting off internet access to those who rely on it for computers.

The computer system was hit by ransomware, a particularly nasty type of computer virus that encrypts computer files.

 This form of attack renders computers unusable — unless victims are willing to pay an extortion fee and obtain a key to unlock the machines.

According to the library, hackers demanded $35,000 in the electronic currency Bitcoin — but the library refuses to pay. Instead, it’ll wipe the entire computer system and reset it, which could take days or weeks. Continue reading Ransomware hits St. Louis Public Library! →