Tag Archives: Resources

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

Metro Libraries Embrace E-Book Sharing

Image by flickingerbrad. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by flickingerbrad. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Recently, Minnesota made the news around a consortial lending model for  eBooks. Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) is the state organization created to support cooperation and collaboration among the seven-county Twin Cities area libraries. And, 3M is right in MELSA’s backyard! What is exciting is that a  conversation happened between the two, and after a year of working together, 3M has developed CloudLink, a new feature for its eBook lending system for consortia!

Many consortial  arrangements involve member libraries contributing eBooks to a common pool that patrons from all libraries can use. In addition to this functionality, CloudLink also enables any patron from any MELSA library to check out eBooks from the private collections of any other MELSA library, provided there are no holds for the title. Unless a publisher has a policy that prohibits consortial lending, the CloudLink system will allow eBooks to be checked out by patrons from any library.

CMLE staff continue to work with others to monitor possibilities for regional or statewide sharing of eBooks. As you can imagine, the needs of academic, public, K-12 and special libraries can be quite different (yet overlapping in some areas). Existing consortial models are often not a “one size fits all”  and at this moment in time, I remain skeptical that a statewide model exists to serve all needs with one solution. But that is today, the wild west of eBooks is changing every day! Stay tuned……

Read the full Digital Shift article (Nov.5)

Also, read an infoDOCKET article on this subject (Sept.18)

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

GRRL’s Online Catalog Just Got Better!

Image retrieved online from GRRL. 11/18/13
Image retrieved online from GRRL 11/18/13.

A recent press release shared an exciting new development in our region. In addition to the expected bibliographic data we see in our GRRL search results, that information is now fortified with a service called NoveList Select!

According to the press release….” It makes book searches fun by providing recommendations readers will see as they browse online. For example, readers who look for Catching Fireby Suzanne Collins will not only see that the library owns multiple copies, but also that it is the second book in a series: the Hunger Games trilogy. They will also see covers of other series and other books recommended for readers of Catching Fire. Additional enhancements include listings for recommended authors, reader ratings and reviews, a link to the NoveList website, and extras from NoveList in the form of award winner listings and booktalk links.

NoveList Select turns a static catalog into a place for book discovery. The recommendations are created by a large team of experts at NoveList including numerous professional librarians. “Traditionally, readers would speak with their local librarian to get book recommendations,” said Jake Grussing, the library’s associate director for collection development. “That reader’s advisory still takes place, but large numbers of patrons now visit us online, and the addition of NoveList Select makes it possible for us to provide an equivalent kind of service to the online browser.”

Great River Regional Library’s website address is griver.org. GRRL provides library services at 32 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. It provides Central Minnesota residents with nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, programming and information services.

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

Philosophy Takes Center Stage

Image by Loozrboy. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by Loozrboy. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Next Thursday, November 21st,  the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes World Philosophy Day.  Since its inception in 2002, the third Thursday of November encourages a continued dialog about contemporary issues and reflection on classic debates.  Unsure where to start? Flavorwire links readers to their top 10 Great Works of Fiction for Philosophers (November  2013.)

Tip: Consider a display in your library noting this day (enlist students to help.) Or, download one of the 10 works of fiction listed on a device(s) available for check-out. 

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

Collaborative Learning Resources

Image by Sean MacEntee. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by Sean MacEntee. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Edudemic posted an article identifying ways to build stronger collaboration among peers. The author,  discusses the benefits to sharing resources and ideas for the purposes of uncovering practical and innovative solutions.  These solutions start with a simple conversation. Noting that it takes more than visually seeing colleagues, suggesting resources to help connect with peers routinely and in meaningful ways. If nothing else, it is a way to measure your work in relation to other libraries. Click here to read Casey-Rowes’ article, 10Web Resources For Becoming A Better Collaborator (September 2013.)

TIP: One of the ideas mentioned in this article is to develop a Personal Learning Network (PLN.) These networks are comprised of a collection of people (contacts) to engage and exchange information with (often online.) Here are some additional PLN resources, archived by Edudemic, for you to consider:

  • A WordPress Widget Perfect for Building Your PLN (link)
  • 3 Ways to Kick Start Your PLN (link)
  • What My PLN Means to Me (link)
  • How to Manage Your PLN Using Twitter (link)
  • 3 Ways to Turn Your PLN Into an Active Network (link)
Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist

Free MN Book Award Materials

MNBookAwards
Image Retrieved online from Minnesota Book Awards site 10/28/13.

MEMO and The Friends of The Saint Paul Public Library are providing free Minnesota Book Award materials for all MEMO members. Posters and bookmarks can be ordered online. Click here to request your materials.

Tip: Pass these on to your teachers and students; especially if they have incorporated a MN Book Award winner in their curriculum. For an additional cost, Honored Book Seals are also available.