American Libraries Live is a free service that uses streaming video broadcasts to offer new and exciting ways to explore real issues in your industry. Watch broadcasts about library issues and trends in real time! You can view from home, library, or on the go.
This Thursday, February 14th at 1 p.m. (central time), librarian and gadget guru Jason Griffey will be joined by experts Maurice Coleman and Robin Hastings to discuss Mobile Services: The Library in Your Pocket. For more information click here. However, if you are not able to listen to this last minute broadcast listing, you might want to check out their list of upcoming streams.
If you are like me, magazines can reflect more of a love hate relationship. I love it when a new month of magazines arrive in the mail. However, after a few days of immersing myself within its pages, reading and then re-reading the articles, I am left with the question-what next? I had stacks of magazines formed by months and even years of filled subscriptions. So, two months ago I contacted my local librarian to see if the library would be interested in the publications. She instructed me on the types of magazines her customers would most likely be interested in. This left me with a smaller, but still sizable, stack of unwanted magazines. This month I found a site that gave me 100+ inspirational tips (decor, make your own supplies, accessories, crafts for kids, etc.) on how to re-purpose these once loved glossy pages. I found many applications for my personal collection, who knows what this article might inspire in you or for your library? Take a moment to search for some new ideas-just for fun!
In browsing the top 50 e-learning sites, FunBrain is a very simple website with both content and games for grade school children. The information is divided into basic categories for viewing books where you can sample a chapter or two online, follow comic strips and select from a variety of skill building games. It is just another tool that can be used to continue to facilitate learning. As a component of the Family Education Network, Pearson Education, it is a free resource that does not require registering a user name and password to access the online information.
Have you heard the latest buzz about makerspaces, which are library spaces to create, build, and craft? I was happy to see it highlighted front and center recently by ALA. And, at the recent midwinter conference, there were meetings and sessions on this topic. Typically, we might think of these spaces most within the context of public or academic libraries, but I see no reason why meeting places for enhancing creativity could not fit within most library types. Check out this article by ALA which also includes some popular activities and tools for these spaces. If you already have a makerspace in your library, tell us about it in comments! The full article is at http://tinyurl.com/c64rh5k
This Free App from Educreations blends the functionality of a traditional dry erase board with standard presentation software. The user can easily create quick tutorials and how-to videos. With multiple applications in and out of the media center or classroom you might want to add this APP to your list of must haves!
