OCLC’s New Program Spotlights Libraries

“Libraries can increase their visibility on the Web by registering basic local information with the OCLC Library Spotlight program—a free service that works with popular Web services to promote libraries. Yelp, the popular local directory service, has agreed to be one of the first to work with OCLC on this new program.

OCLC uses information from a variety of sources to prepopulate location and contact information for thousands of libraries. The OCLC Library Spotlight program takes this a step further, providing a single, easy-to-use interface in which any library can add, edit and update its own information once, in order to populate multiple Web destinations. Initial data was taken from the WorldCat Registry, but libraries can add a variety of information, including pictures and links to services, social content and collections. A custom, mobile-optimized link allows libraries to easily publish information to smartphones and other mobile devices.Continue reading→

Introducing the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)

On April 18, the first beta version of the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) will be launched.  What is the DPLA?  In simple terms, it is a network of comprehensive online resources that draws on the nation’s living heritage from libraries, universities, archives, and museums to provide broad access to educational resources. “In its first iteration, the DPLA will combine a group of rich, interesting digital collections, from state and regional digital archives to the special collections of major university libraries and federal holdings.  The DPLA will demonstrate how powerful and exciting it can be to bring together our nation’s digitized materials, metadata (including catalog records, for instance), code, and digital tools and services into an open, shared resource.”  For much more in depth information from Library Journal on the DPLA, click here.

Polaris 4.1 Techincal Services Training

SALS will host 6 training sessions at SALS to introduce staff to some new features in 4.1 and to refresh everyone on workflow, best practices and guidelines for the MVLS/SALS consortium.
I will also be facilitating on-site trainings for CPH, SAR & GLE staff in April on these same topics with some additional information on Self Check/RFID features when appropriate.

All trainings will be held in the SALS training room and will be available via GoToMeeting on a first come first serve basis.  If you can’t make it to SALS, please consider hosting the training at your library for all staff via GoToMeeting on 1 computer with speakers.

Registration is recommended.  Please let me know which session(s) you will attend (in person or online)

Dates:
Wednesday May 1

Circulation Desk – 10-noon (holds, patron registration, renewals, check in/out, fines, etc.)

Patron Services Desk – 1-3 pm (Find tool, holds, PAC, etc.)

Tuesday May 7

Patron Services Desk – 10-noon (Find tool, holds, PAC, etc.)

Circulation Desk – 1-3 pm (holds, patron registration, renewals, check in/out, fines, etc.)
Thursday May 9

Technical Services “Cataloging” – 10-noon  (barcoding, Find Tool, Tsforms, etc.)

Technical Services “Acquisitions” – 1-3 pm (ordering, EDI, fiscal years/funds, etc.)

 

Length of classes are approximate (they might end early)

 

If you cannot make it to one of these sessions, but would like additional training for staff, please give me a call.  The presentations will be available.