Please join American Libraries Live for this month’s broadcast on Thursday, May 9th at 1 pm (CST). The exciting new episode will discuss the shift in online learning and what that could potentially mean for libraries. Guest speakers will examine how traditional library instruction may be enhanced with online tools and identify possible library standards in the face of changing technology. Click here for additional information about the guest speakers and to register for this free broadcast.
On April 23rd approximately 25,000 volunteers signed up to give away half a million free books in more than 6,000 towns and cities across the country. The free book giveaway is part of World Book Night U.S. (WBN), an ambitious campaign to give thousands of free, specially printed paperbacks to light or nonreaders across America on one day.
Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. These facilities allow access to nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, along with a variety of programming and information services.
GRRL recruited more than 50 volunteers who shared books at various locations across Central Minnesota such as parks, coffee shops and fitness centers. Providing people with materials and services to support lifelong learning and personal enrichment is a goal within the library’s strategic plan.
Volunteer book giver Jeanie Pilarski, right, gave a book to Julie Strobl at the Delano Tiger Activity Center.
Volunteer Jeanie Pilarski said, “This was a fun and easy event. The Delano Tiger Activity Center is an active location with parents, exercisers, participants of clubs, and many activities happening in this location. People were surprised to be asked to receive a book! They were very receptive and wanted to know about World Book Night. I enjoyed the opportunity to hand out books. I have read this book and that made for an easy introduction also.”
Volunteers Donna Holovnia and Susan Furey set up to give their books at the Clearwater Coborn’s store.
If you attended the summer MEMO leadership event and/or the MEMO Fall Conference last year you heard Shannon Miller talk about our role to “be the change.” School Library Journal recently began a series of monthly webcasts hosted by Shannon. Supposedly, your attendance at each of the one hour free webcasts will unleash the library leader in you and will inspire leadership at every level! Learn strategies from the experts to help you take the lead through effective communication, collaboration and execution. You will gain valuable skills to help shape your professional future as well as the future of your library, school and community.
Go to http://www.slj.com/BeTheChange/#_ to get details on each webcast and to register. Please note that the webcasts are also archived so you can access them when it best suits your schedule.
Join WebJunction for a free webinar on Tuesday, May 7th at noon (CST) to discuss how communities can contribute to content development. Donna Feddern, Digital Services Manager, Escondido Public Library will present on how knowledge sharing, using digital media formats, can be a successful component of today’s libraries.
