Volume 5, November 5, 2009 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) WSL CHANGES INTERNET ADDRESSES

2) ONE HOMELESS MAN’S INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY

3) THREE FREE ONLINE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

4) SWEET TALK – ROMANCE FICTION IN THE LIBRARY

5) IMPROVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TECHNICAL AND PUBLIC SERVICES

6) HUMANITIES WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FORUMS

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1) WSL CHANGES INTERNET ADDRESSES

As of this week, all Washington State Library and Office of the Secretary of State e-mail addresses have changed. The new format is [email protected]. For example, your WSL Updates editor’s e-mail address is now [email protected]. This change comes because the Information Services Board, which governs aspects of the state’s computing environment, has adopted new e-mail standards for all state agencies.

In addition, the agency’s website address is changing from secstate.wa.gov to sos.wa.gov, which means that the Washington State Library’s website address is now sos.wa.gov/library. You are encouraged to update your bookmarks and contacts lists. However, rest assured that the old addresses will continue to work for several months, as time is provided for people to adjust to the new addresses.

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2) ONE HOMELESS MAN’S INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY

Please join us at the State Library when we host Richard LeMieux, author of Breakfast at Sally’s: One homeless man’s inspirational journey. Richard was once a wealthy business owner and able to afford the best that money could buy. The rise of the Internet and the declining need for newspapers signaled the end for his publishing company. As a result he was unable to make a living and found himself evicted from his home, penniless.

In his book, Richard gives us an often-neglected perspective on homeless life: that of the homeless person. He shows how even the comfortable and affluent can find themselves homeless, how people struggle to survive, and how they hold on to their humanity. Ultimately, his story reminds us that a life on the street does not take away the right to be treated as a human.

Please join us as Richard shares his story of struggle and optimism against diversity. Thursday, November 12, 2009 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The Washington State Library is at 6880 Capitol Boulevard South, Tumwater, Washington. For more information about our events, including more details on this one, please visit www.secstate.wa.gov/library/events.aspx.

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3) THREE FREE ONLINE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

1. Tech Topics: Quick and Easy Open Source Software

Open source software is getting more and more press … and for good reason. But, unless you’re “in the know,” you may not know where to start. Start here! We’ll talk about what open source software is and isn’t and, in a practical way, discuss specific software you could download, install, and use within minutes. Free online training from WSL provided by Amigos:

Nov. 19, 2009, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tech Topics: Quick and Easy Open Source Software, Amigos Online. Registration is limited. For more information and to register, visit www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/opensource.

2. WebJunction Webinar: Reaching Spanish-speaking Agricultural Communities. Nov. 10, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. For a description, and registration info, see the Oct. 22 WSL Updates, Item 6: www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/Updates22.

3. Infopeople Webinar: Best Practices in Helping Job Seekers in the Library. Nov. 10, 2009, 12:00-1:00 p.m. For a description, and registration info, see the Oct. 29 WSL Updates, Item 6: www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/Updates29.

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4) SWEET TALK – ROMANCE FICTION IN THE LIBRARY

Romance is hot … in the library, that is. Join Donna Seaman, Booklist’s romance fiction editor, and a panel of librarians, authors, and publishers to discuss the state of the genre—in public libraries and in the marketplace.

Panelists include:

• John Charles, Reference Librarian, Scottsdale (AZ) Public Library, and Booklist reviewer
• Shelley Mosley, Adjunct Librarian at Glendale (AZ) Community College, and Booklist reviewer
• Madeline Hunter, best-selling author of 17 historical romances
• Kayleigh George, Library Marketing Coordinator at HarperCollins Publishers
• Cheryl Herman, Library Marketing Director, Books on Tape and Listening Library at Random House

Join Booklist for this free learning opportunity and don’t miss what is sure to be an entertaining and informative session November 12, 3-4 p.m. Central Time. For more information, and to register, use this shortcut link: www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/romance.

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5) IMPROVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TECHNICAL AND PUBLIC SERVICES

Please join us for a free e-forum discussion on The Art of Conversation: Improving Communication between Technical Services and Public Services hosted by the Association of Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) and moderated by Sarah Simpson and Keri Cascio on November 18, November 20, 2009.

How do you communicate with other departments at your institution? Is your day filled with a flurry of emails, or do you hear the crickets chirping? Sarah Simpson, Technical Services Manager at the Tulsa City-County Library, and Keri Cascio, Branch Manager at the St. Louis City-County Library District, will moderate a discussion about sharing information between departments and creating points of contact. The Tulsa City-County Library Tech Services department set up a Help Desk to open their lines of communication. What have you done at your institution?

To login go to lists.ala.org/sympa/info/alcts-eforum. Use the “First Login?” link to create a password if you don’t have one. Participation is free and open to anyone.

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6) HUMANITIES WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FORUMS

Join Humanities Washington at one of 17 Community Forums scheduled for October, November and December. Humanities Washington staff and board will visit communities around the state, seeking input on current and future programming. What Humanities Washington programs have you used and how could we improve them? What new cultural activities would you like to see in your area? These and other topics will be discussed in an interactive, roundtable setting.

Anyone is welcome, including representatives of local cultural, educational and community organizations, elected officials and the general public. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail us at [email protected] and you will be added to the invitation list for the Forum closest to you.

The sessions begin Nov. 12 in Olympia (a.m.) and Kelso (p.m.), Nov. 16 in Wenatchee, Nov. 18 in Port Hadlock, Nov. 19 in Spokane, with additional locations and dates through the middle of December. To see the complete listing, visit www.humanities.org/calendar/ and look for the Community Forums.