Category Archives: SALS News

Ebsco Database Training

It is always difficult for people to leave their libraries to attend training, and with the cost of gas, travel is becoming more prohibitive for many libraries.  Given that, several online webinar training sessions have been schedule for this fall.  This is the first time we have done database training via a webinar, so consider it an experiment.  We will see how it goes – if folks feel that additional in-person sessions are necessary, we will schedule those at a later date.

The first round of sessions will focus on EBSCO products, specifically NoveList Plus and Masterfile Select.  Both of these products have brand new interfaces and many added features.  Tentative dates and times are:

Wednesday, Sept 17 – 10:30 AM
Monday, Sept 22 – 3:30 PM
Wednesday, Oct 1 – 1:00 PM

More information will be forthcoming as the dates get closer.  Expect each session to last approx 1 – 1 ½ hours.

I hope that the variety of dates and times for training will allow most libraries to work one of these sessions into their schedules.  Please watch for further emails about training in the next couple of weeks.

SALS Library Friends Networking Opportunity

SALS and the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library (CPH) are co-sponsoring an information sharing meeting on the topic of Library Friends in October.
Your library does not need to have a Friends group to participate; just an interest in learning more about what local Friends groups do.

Topics to be discussed and shared at the meeting will be:
• How to form a Friends Group
• Fundraising
• Advocacy: Friends, Trustees and library staff working together to meet community needs
• Programs, Services, Events and Partnerships

Please help us reach our target audience — library staff, trustees, volunteers and friends.
• Spread the word to save the date: October 22, 2008; 10am to Noon, CPH Library
• We want to formally invite representatives from your library. Please send me the names and mailing addresses of people you would like to see attend (you may include yourself). We will send everyone a formal invitation in early September.

Please reply no later than Friday, August 8, 2008.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Ferriss.

Executive Summary of SALS 2008 Survey

Library staff and trustees were asked to complete a satisfaction and use survey as required by the SALS Plan of Service 2007-2010. Forty seven people completed the survey. Here are the survey highlights.

100% of the respondents were satisfied with SALS services.

SALS services rated the most used, and most valued:

  • Polaris and Polaris support
  • Delivery and Interlibrary Loan among the membership
  • Acquisitions, Cataloging and Processing
  • Continuing Education

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