Take heart, it appears the big six publishers are hearing the outcry from libraries about their e-book policies and are making an effort to produce a workable model specifically for libraries. Although the details of Macmillan’s prototype are not yet being shared, this article does a nice job of summing up the state of affairs with the “big six” at this point in time. Go to the Digital Shift for your cliff notes on this subject….
Category Archives: School Media Specialist
Recommended App: Splashtop Whiteboard
Splashtop Whiteboard allows teachers and students to turn their Android tablet or iPad into an interactive whiteboard. Once connected to their computer over Wi-Fi, they can watch Flash media with fully synchronized video and audio, control PC and Mac applications, then annotate lesson content from an Android tablet or iPad. Splashtop Whiteboard offers users of existing interactive whiteboards—such as Mimeo, Mobi, Promethean, Polyvision, or SMART Technologies—a way to extend their investment by accessing their tools from anywhere in the class (all four corners of the room!) without using wireless slates. This app costs anywhere from $2.99 to $9.99 and can be used with iPad iOS 4.0 & up and Android 3.1 & up.
What Should I Read Next?
Have you checked out the all new “What Should I Read Next?” http://whatshouldireadnext.com site? Fresh for fall 2012, this is a fun way to get your reading list in order for all that cozy reading time you’re planning! Type in the title or author of your choice (preferably one you loved!) and up pops a list of suggested titles. The list of suggested titles populates from user’s favorites lists – and the more times the titles appear together on user’s lists, the higher the title moves up on the recommendation list. Pretty nifty… but, will never beat reader’s advisory or book talks! 😉 Use it with your patrons and students, too!
Got Fundraising?
Are you planning to do a fundraiser to raise money for your school or media center this fall? If so, remember to take a look at the CMLE-hosted “Finding the Bucks” webinar recording. The webinar highlighted CMLE’s scholarship page, ideas and tips for obtaining scholarships and grants, and information about Mackin’s Funds4Books program. With the Funds4Books program, 100% of the donations received will go straight to your media center for purchasing books!
Watch for future posts about other similar tools with other book companies too, or give them a call and ask whether they have a tool to help you with online fundraising. They are usually more than willing to help you earmark funds, to buy their products, for your library collection.
Visit CMLE’s Continuing Education page and click the “View Recording” link next to Finding the Bucks Webinar to get started.
Happy viewing, and happy fundraising!!
We’ve Learned: Staffing News and Updates from Around the Region
We’ve Learned… is designed to keep our readers informed about news concerning personnel in CMLE libraries/media centers. Please keep us informed of any “happenings” regarding staff members in your area so that we can include them in the next write-up! Happenings can include: changes in staffing, awards, honors… you get the idea!
- Jolene Zachman left her paraprofessional position at the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School.
- Lucy Lloyd is the new paraprofessional at the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School. Welcome aboard, Lucy!