Volume 6, October 21, 2010 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) SDL NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEYS

2) GO TO THE WEB AND SAY AHH

3) WSL STAFF REMEMBERED

4) BULLYING SURVEY CLOSES THURSDAY AT 11:00 P.M.

5) FREE PRESERVATION WEBINAR SERIES

6) GRANTSTATION SUBSCRIPTION RENEWALS

7) PUBLIC LIBRARY INTERNET USE STUDY DEADLINE

8) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

—————————————————————————————————————

1) SDL NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEYS

This is a reminder that the WSL SDL (Statewide Database Licensing) needs assessment survey will expire at the end of the month. We strongly encourage all library staff from all types of libraries to respond. It should take 20-30 minutes to complete the survey, which is available at www.surveymonkey.com/s/sdlneeds2010. Your response will help guide future directions for the SDL project. The deadline is October 31.

In addition, there is a much shorter survey designed for public library patrons. This survey asks library patrons to respond to questions about the resources offered through their library’s website. We encourage public libraries to place a link to this survey on their websites. For links, and a web graphic, visit the SDL page (see link below).

For more information about the SDL project or for updates on the procurement process, visit the project web page at www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/SDL or contact project manager, Will Stuivenga: [email protected] 360.704.5217 or toll free 866.538.4996.

—————————————————————————————————————

2) GO TO THE WEB AND SAY AHH

Was that multiple myeloma or malignant melanoma? Do questions like these have you quaking in your boots? Attend the free workshop, “Go To The Web And Say Ahh! Discovering Quality Health Information Resources and Approaches” to brush up on your knowledge of quality health information resources as well issues to consider when performing reference interviews for health and medical information. This interactive, hands-on session will provide attendees with new knowledge and helpful resources.

The instructor, Gail Kouame, is Consumer Health Coordinator for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Pacific Northwest Region (NN/LM PNR) at the University of Washington. These workshops are funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Dates and locations:

• Tuesday, November 9, Shoreline Branch, KCLS;
• Tuesday, November 16, Big Bend Community College Library, Moses Lake;
• Friday, November 19, Moran Prairie Branch, Spokane County Library District;
• Tuesday, November 23, Washington State Library, Tumwater;
• Tuesday, November 30, Anacortes Public Library.

There are two sessions at each location, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. For a complete listing of dates and times, or to register, visit www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/sayahh.

—————————————————————————————————————

3) WSL STAFF REMEMBERED

Dorothy Doyle, one of the stalwarts of the Washington State Library during the period when Maryan Reynolds was State Librarian, passed away this past week (October 13, 2010) at age 95. Dorothy Doyle, Dorothy Cutler, and Maryan Reynolds formed a dynamic trio that helped establish library districts through demonstration projects in the 1950s and 1960s. For example, the Columbia River Regional Library Demonstration led to a vote of the people that established the North Central Regional Library.

We’ve also learned that two other former WSL staff, Barbara Jeanne (Bowler) Yates and Barbara Walton are deceased. We wish to express our condolences to their family and friends. Rand Simmons, Acting State Librarian.

—————————————————————————————————————

4) BULLYING SURVEY CLOSES THURSDAY AT 11:00 P.M.

Thursday is the last day for library staff to take the survey on workplace bullying being conducted by researchers from the SHARP (Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention) Program of the Department of Labor and Industries. The researchers are examining libraries as work environments and would like responses from as many library staff as possible, whether or not they have experienced or have witnessed bullying in the workplace. Study results will be reported to the Washington Library Association and the Interest Group of Library Unions.

The survey will close Thursday, October 21, at 11:00 p.m. It may be completed in one of three ways: 1) online by via this shortcut link: www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/bullying; 2) by phone by calling SHARP (888.667.4277); or 3) by mail (call SHARP for the form and a self-addressed envelope). Participation in the survey is completely voluntary and all responses are confidential. If you have any questions, please contact Nanette Yragui at [email protected] or 888.667.4277, ext. 6334. SHARP has requested that participants complete the survey at home.

—————————————————————————————————————

5) FREE PRESERVATION WEBINAR SERIES

From October 28 through December 9, IMLS, in partnership with Heritage Preservation and the American Association for State and Local History, will be sponsoring a series of 6 free Webinars based on the national initiative, Connecting to Collections. Topics include how to conduct outreach to the media, members of the public, and funders, and how to make maximum use of the Connecting to Collections Bookshelf, the Bookshelf Users Guide, and the Guide to Online Resources. The Webinar series is designed for libraries, museums, and archives, and will be of particular interest to staff members of small- to mid-sized institutions.

Participants may sign up for the entire series or for individual sessions. Advanced registration is required. To register and to view the schedule of Webinars, go to learningtimesevents.org/c2c. For those unable to attend the live Webinars, recordings of the sessions will be made available at a future date.

—————————————————————————————————————

6) GRANTSTATION SUBSCRIPTION RENEWALS

Three years ago the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), in partnership with the Washington State Library, provided free GrantStation subscriptions to public libraries throughout the state. Those subscriptions expire at the end of 2010.

For Washington libraries that are interested in continuing a GrantStation subscription, the company is offering a special renewal option. Details including a subscription form are available on the SDL (Statewide Database Licensing) Group Purchases web page: www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/purchases.

GrantStation.com, Inc. offers nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies the opportunity to identify potential funding sources for their programs or projects as well as resources to mentor these organizations through the grantseeking process.

—————————————————————————————————————

7) PUBLIC LIBRARY INTERNET USE STUDY DEADLINE

The Nov. 5 deadline is swiftly approaching for public libraries to participate in the 2010-2011 Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study online survey. The survey provides an important opportunity for libraries to share information on computer and Internet resources and infrastructure, as well as funding, technology training and other uses of public libraries, such as providing public access technology centers in their communities. Libraries are encouraged to log on now at www.plinternetsurvey.org.

Recently, study findings have:

• been cited in hundreds of media outlets, including Newsweek, Governing Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and NPR;
• informed the National Broadband Plan and successful library grant applications for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program;
• been used in Congressional and state-level testimony, as well as in comments to federal agencies.

The study is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ALA, and is managed by the Center for Library & Information Innovation at the University of Maryland. More information, including results from the 2009-2010 study, is available online at www.ala.org/plinternetfunding. A blog (www.ors.ala.org/libconnect) and Twitter feed (twitter.com/ala_ors) also share news, findings, insights and free resources from the study.

—————————————————————————————————————

8) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

• LIFE in the Library: Events to Build Community (Texas State Library); Tuesday, October 26, 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. PDT;
• Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: Live from Internet Librarian! (NCompass Live); Wednesday, October 27, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. PDT;
• John Adams and the American Founding (Library of Congress/OPAL); Wednesday, October 27, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PDT: for description: www.opal-online.org/progschrono.htm; to join: www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/jadams;
• The New Medline Plus: An In-Depth Look (Infopeople); Wednesday, October 27, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT: www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/medline;
• Security Basics: Keep your Computers Safe (TechSoup); Thursday, October 28, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PDT.

These sessions are online. Providers are listed in parentheses. For registration links and more information on these events (unless linked directly above), visit the WSL Training Calendar: www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/training.

—————————————————————————————————————