Training Opportunities at METRO for the Month of August

Webinar: Simple Strategies and Tools for Keeping Up with Tech Trends

When: Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm
Location: Online
Presenter: Jason Kucsma, Emerging Technologies Manager, METRO
Register here: http://bit.ly/1bteV9

As the World Wide Web matures, the amount of information we have access to is increasingly overwhelming. And the rapid speed at which technologies change make it even harder to keep up with what’s new, what’s important, and what’s not worth your time and attention. Still, it’s important for librarians to be familiar with changes in technology, because they will inevitably influence our users’ expectations and may have implications on how we adapt to meet those expectations. This webinar will provide you a few simple strategies for keeping up with shifts in technology without having to devote valuable work time that could be used effectively. This webinar will also detail some of the freely available tools to help you implement these strategies.

Using Omeka to Build Digital Collections for Libraries and Archives

When: Friday, August 7, 2009 – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: METRO, 57 E. 11 St, New York, NY 10003
Presenter: Jeremy Boggs, Creative Lead at Center for History and New Media at George Mason University and Omeka’s Project Manager
Register here: http://bit.ly/rfp5y

Omeka is a free and open source collections based, web-based publishing platform for scholars, librarians, archivists, museum professionals, educators, and cultural enthusiasts. Its “five-minute setup” makes launching an online exhibition as easy as launching a blog. Omeka is designed with non-IT specialists in mind, allowing users to focus on content and interpretation rather than programming. It brings Web 2.0 technologies and approaches to academic and cultural websites to foster user interaction and participation.

This workshop will introduce Omeka, provide a brief background on developing the software, show examples of different types of websites created with Omeka and teach participants how to use Omeka to build a website for your institution. Topics will include data entry, data migration, using/developing Themes, and using/developing plugins.

By the end of the program, participants will:

• Understand how to install Omeka, and manage content and enter Collections data in Omeka
• Install and modify public themes
• Install and manage plugins

Essential Wiki Master: How to Use, Install, Customize, Extend and Manage Wiki

When: August 11 & August 13, 2009 – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: METRO, 57 E. 11 St, New York, NY 10003
Presenter: Kwong Bor Ng (Ph.D), Associate Professor, Graduate School of Library and Information Studies of Queens College, CUNY
Register here: http://bit.ly/AsIkD

Wikis have become an almost ubiquitous tool for collaboration among library staff or communication with the communities we serve. Still many of us know little about what’s “under-the-hood” that makes our wikis work. This two-day course will provide participants with valuable experience and knowledge working with server-side technology. If you’re looking to add more skills to your technology toolbox, this course combines lecture and hands-on exercises to deliver a well-rounded skillset that can be applied to more than just installing and maintaining wikis.

By the end of the program, participants will:

• Be able to use advanced formatting techniques to create and edit wiki pages
• Setup and manage a wiki and handle tools like extensions, templates, skins and bots
• Have access to a practice wiki though the internet for 2 weeks

Who should attend and prerequisite skills: System librarians, electronic resources librarians, web masters, digital archivists and others interested in installing and managing Wiki for Collaborative Content Building. Participants should know basic HTML and how to create and maintain a simple web site, but no programming skills required.

Site Visit: Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives

When: Wednesday, August 19^th, 2009 – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Tamiment Library & Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, 70 Washington Square South, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10012
Presenter: Dr. Michael Nash, head of the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Register here: http://bit.ly/17PtZy

The Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives at New York University form a unique, internationally known center for the study of labor history and progressive politics. Archives, manuscript collections, photographs, books, and pamphlets document the history of labor, socialism, communism, anarchism, and utopian experiments. The collections also include important materials relating to the women’s movement, the cultural left, the history of labor law, and the struggles for civil rights, academic freedom, and civil liberties. The Tamiment Library houses the Archives of Irish America and the records of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.

The Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives administers the records of more than 250 national, regional, and local labor organizations. These archives describe the history of organized labor, as well as the impact of immigration, social reform movements, and race relations on the worker and American society.

For questions or assistance with registration, please call 212-228-2320 x10 or write to training@metro.org

NYLA Institute – Web Design: Introduction to CSS

The New York Library Association is pleased to announce the latest Continuing Education opportunity:

Friday, November 13, 2009

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Nassau Library System | Uniondale, NY

Why do some websites look amazingly professional while others appear like they were designed in Microsoft Word? Much has changed since the early days of the internet. Whether you want to bring a more modern look to your website or customize a WordPress theme, every detail of the appearance of a page is controlled by Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). This “hands on” institute will give you experience with key concepts and software tools that will help you begin using CSS with your HTML.

Prerequisite: basic knowledge of HTML

This is a hands-on workshop. Registration is limited to 19 participants to enable each attendee access to a computer workstation.

About the Presenter:

Luke Charde, a freelance web developer and technology trainer, has been involved in the design of scores of websites since the early days of the web. He enjoys helping people learn to use the ever-changing world of technology for better organizational and personal effectiveness. Because of Luke’s background in the educational field, he is adept at communicating technological concepts in an understandable manner and providing the tools and resources to enable continued learning.

Registration Note:
Preregistration is required. Space is limited. Registration is completed when your payment arrives at NYLA. You will be contacted by NYLA only if the workshop is filled. This will be a hands-on workshop.

This full-day workshop is $100 for NYLA members and $130 for non-members.

Promotional flier and registration form (pdf)

Register Online (credit card required)

Directions to the Nassau Library System

---

Contact the NYLA Office with questions about this program 1-800-252-6952 Ext. 102

Johanna Geiger
Deputy Director
New York Library Association
6021 State Farm Road
Guilderland, NY 12084
518-432-6952 Ext. 102
events@nyla.org

Nominations sought for America’s Libraries for the 21st Century

[via NYLINE listserv]

June 29, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for
Information Technology Policy (OITP) is soliciting nominations for best
library practices using cutting-edge technology.

“We want to showcase libraries that are serving their communities with
novel and innovative methods and provide the library community with some
successful models for delivering quality library service in new ways,”
said Vivian Pisano, Chair of OITP’s America’s Libraries for the 21st
Century Subcommittee.

Nominations should be sent to the American Library Association, Office
for Information Technology Policy, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, 1st
Floor, Washington, D.C. 20009 by September 1, 2009.  Details about the
nomination process and an online submission form are available on the
OITP Web site

<http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oitp/Cutting%20Edge/cuttingedge.cfm>

The America’s Libraries for the 21st Century Subcommittee will review
all nominations and conduct selected interviews or site visits to
identify those libraries that are truly offering a best practice or most
innovative service.  Libraries or library service areas selected will be
publicized via the OITP Web site, highlighted through ALA publications,
and featured in a program at the ALA Annual Conference in 2010.

Humor Break: Morning at the Ref Desk

LISNews posted an amusing link to a Reference Desk question transcript that was published in the Daily News Transcript. It starts off like this…

Librarian: Good morning. Reference. How may I help you?
Caller: Hi. Is this Reference?

Librarian: Yes, sir. You have reached the Reference Desk. How may I help you?
Caller: Gee, I hope you can help me.

Librarian: I will certainly try. Tell me what you are looking for.

Caller: Well, I’m not sure what I’m looking for, but my wife told me to call.
Librarian: Great! What did your wife want?

Stop me if you heard this one

Webinar: Introduction to Digital Collection Management Systems

When: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Register here:http://bit.ly/19PNw

Selecting and implementing an automated system to manage your institution’s digital collection must be done with consideration. A new digital collection management system is a major investment, one that your library may use for a long time. A system that meets the needs of your digital collection, takes user needs into account, and allows for growth is needed to succeed. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the issues to consider and questions to ask in evaluating digital collection management systems, and we’ll examine some related goals, costs and implementation issues.

By the end of the program, participants will:

• List several key features included in most digital collection management systems
• Detail the digitization tasks usually included and not included in digital collection management systems
• Name 4 commercial and 3 Open Source digital collection management systems
• Identify some questions to ask in the evaluation process

Presenter: Tom Ceresini joined Lyrasis (formerly PALINET) in September 2006.  As Technology Consultant, he works with members and business partners, focusing on software-based solutions and other technology issues, as well as training.  Previously, Tom worked at Siemens Health Services Corporation for 25 years, holding a variety of positions that included Software Engineer and Lead Network Security Analyst.

For questions or assistance with registration please write to training@metro.org or call 212-228-2320 x10

Carol LaRow’s Google Cool Free Tools Workshop, 8-11-2009

[via NYLINE listserv]

SCRLC is proud to announce Carol LaRow’s workshop, Google’s Cool Tools – And They’re Free!, will be presented in Ithaca on Tuesday, August 11, 9:30 am-3:30 pm. The deadline for registrations is July 28, 2009. Discover Google’s free online tools for research and learning, presented by a Google Certified Teacher, including tools for online collaboration and WEB 2.0 networking with colleagues, students, or patrons doing research. You will learn integration ideas especially for teacher librarians; view sample  projects; and explore tools that enhance your library, curriculum, and personal productivity.

Our presenter, Carol LaRow, taught language arts for 33 years. She is a Smithsonian Laureate, a Google Certified Teacher, and received WNYT’s Educator of Excellence Award. Carol is a technology consultant and provides staff development and keynote addresses for faculties and administrators throughout the Northeast. Google recently invited her as one of four teachers to present lesson plans she developed using use Google tools. Google has published them in Google Apps for Educators, K-12.

All workshops in the Summer Camp 2009 series are open to all librarians and library workers (school, public, academic, and special); no approval or authorization is required to attend.  Full information and registration details.

Coming to Ithaca for the session? You, your family, or friends may want to hike waterfall, swim in the lake, try an ethnic food restaurant, or take in a concert or play. To see what’s happening in Ithaca, please go to http://www.visitithaca.com and http://www.ithacaevents.com

Nora Hardy
SCRLC

NewYorkHeritage.org adds collections

[via NYLINE listserv]

The New York 3Rs Association has added sixteen more online collections to its collective digital heritage web site, www.NewYorkHeritage.org. The site now connects more than 200 digital collections from around the state, contributed by libraries, archives, museums and other cultural institutions, and builds on existing digital repository services administered by each of the nine reference and research library resources councils.

New materials include the Historical Portraits Collection from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Elmira College’s Mark Twain Archive, the New York Historical Association’s Murder Pamphlet Collection Exhibit , early Robert Montgomery materials housed at the Trinity-Pawling School Collection, Alfred University’s Image Archives, Rochester Medical Museum and Archives, NYU’s Abraham Lincoln Brigade Collection, images from the Onondaga Nation at the Liverpool Public Library, folk art collections at the Crandall Public Library Folklife Center, the Steinmetz Collection of Schenectady, the Almquist Green Lakes Collection housed at the Fayetteville Public Library, and many others from around the state.  For an up-to-date list of collections and contributors, please go to www.NewYorkHeritage.org

Additionally, The Tools of History regional digitization site, created by the South Central Regional Library Council, has been added, as have been the Rochester Regional Library Council’s Finger Lakes-Genesee Valley Heritage and the Capital District Library Council Digital Collections regional sites.

A variety of materials can be found among the New York Heritage Digital Collections, including photographs, postcards, correspondence, manuscripts, oral histories, yearbooks and newspapers.Many kinds of institutions from New York State have partnered to make this project possible,  including public, academic and school libraries, museums, archives and historical societies.  The power of collaboration is what makes this new service possible.

Participants to New York Heritage Digital Collections are committed to enhancing the site by adding both content and contributing institutions on a regular basis. The  goal of the project is to eventually connect one thousand collections and one million items from throughout  New York State. All institutions interested in participating in the project are encouraged to contact the 3Rs organization that serves their region.

The New York 3Rs Association is a partnership among New York’s nine reference and research resource systems. The New York 3Rs was incorporated in 2003 to further the ability of those systems to provide statewide services. The members of the New York 3Rs Association are: the Capital District Library Council,  Central New York Library Resources Council, Long Island Library Resources Council, Metropolitan New York Library Council,  Northern New York Library Network,  Rochester Regional Library Council,  Southeastern New York Library Resources Council,  South Central Regional Library Council, and  Western New York Library Resources Council.

Humor Break: She Blinded Me with Library Science

A librarian I work with recently reminded me of this shirt which I purchased a long time ago, but I found out that it is also available in tote bag form!

Library Science Shirt

Library Science Tote

This was originally inspired by one of my favorite web comic, Questionable Content. Here is a direct link to the episode where the shirt made an appearance. If you look at the comment at the end, it seems a lot of people were asking about the shirt, which led to its creation. Enjoy the weekend!

Eastern CONTENTdm Users Group 2009

[via NYLINE listserv]

The full Eastern CONTENTdm Users Group 2009 Program is now available on the conference wiki.

It includes session titles, speakers and times.

Registration: Make sure to register soon as the deadline is July 20. Register online.

August 5: Pre conferences

Register for a valuable pre conferences.  Topics include:

• Full day preconference How to Build Digital Collections Using CONTENTdm with Joyce Rambo, Reference & Digital Collections Librarian, Nylink
• Half day preconference hands-on tutorial introducing the most widely requested enhancements with Geri Ingram, Manager, User Services, OCLC Digital Collection Services

August 6-7: Program

Sessions include:

• Google Analytics & CONTENTdm: Harness Up Your Repository Metrics
• More metadata than you can shake a stick at: How 52 metadata fields makes our Oral History Project more usable
• Digitizing the Holland Land Company Maps: Workflow, Digital Preservation, and Intern Education in a Small Repository
• Migrating a legacy collection into CONTENTdm
• Digital Libraries on a Budget: Building Collections through Interdepartmental Collaboration
• CONTENTdm Metadata Decisions
• CONTENTdm Collections: Lessons Learned

Other events include:

• Virtual Poster Session
• CONTENTdm Update with Claire Cocco
• Time for networking, collaborating, and problem-solving

More information about the conference.

For more information, please contact Joyce Rambo at ramboj@nylink.org

Please plan to join us Aug 5-7 at Yale University in New Haven, CT.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Joyce L. Rambo
Reference & Digital Collections Librarian
ramboj@nylink.org
Nylink – http://nylink.org
State University Plaza
Albany, NY 12246
(518)443-5444 or (800) 342-3353
Fax: (518) 432-4346

CONSER’s Basic Serials Cataloging Workshop

[via NYLINE listserv]

Thursday, November 5 & Friday, November 6, 2009
Nylink Office, Albany

Course Description:

This course provides the basic principles of serials cataloging for original and copy cataloging for print and electronic serials. The course focuses on the elements contained in the CONSER core record, including appropriate MARC 21 tagging, as well as problem-solving and decision-making relative to serials cataloging. All materials are based on the CONSER Editing Guide and CONSER Cataloging Manual.

Course topics include:

• Original and copy cataloguing of print serials
• Cataloguing remote access and direct access electronic serials
• Subject analysis and classification of serials
• Trends in serials cataloguing

The course is a two-day workshop combining lecture with exercises and time for questions, answers and discussion.

Audience:

This workshop is designed for beginning serials cataloguers and other library staff.

Instructors:

Marguerite (Maggie) Horn is Library Systems Implementation Specialist at the SUNY Office of Library and Information Services.  She has over 30 years experience as a serials cataloguer and has worked as a trainer for SCCTP (Serials Cataloguing Cooperative Training Program) since inception.

Everett Allgood is Associate Curator, Technical Services and Original Cataloging, New York University Libraries.

For more information and to registeration.

Thank you for your continued support of Nylink training and events,

Deidre Dowling
Education Coordinator
Nylink