Bluefire Reader brings e-books to your iPad

Do you or your patrons have the new iPad?  Wish you could use it to read e-books downloaded from Overdrive?  Now you can with the Bluefire Reader (free to download).


Bluefire is an app designed to display e-books downloaded from the library that use Adobe DRM (Digital Rights Management) - the DRM found in the PDF and ePUB books downloaded from Overdrive.  


Unfortunately you can't download library e-books directly to the iPad/iPhone because you have to use a computer with an authorized version of Adobe Digital Editions on it—which is required for e-books downloaded from Overdrive. Once the books are on your computer, you can use iTunes to transfer them to your iPad equipped with Bluefire.  


To use Bluefire on your iPad, first download the app and then head over to Bluefire's website, follow the steps and you'll be set.  The process is a bit complex, but if the directions are followed carefully, your patrons should have no problem reading downloaded titles on their iPads. 


Happy e-Reading!

The Future of Libraries

Have you checked out www.libraryfutures.ca yet? This site was created by a group of Alberta librarians during the planning of NEXT: A Library Futures Symposium. A number of Chinook Arch staff, board members and member library trustees attended this unique conference in October. The purpose of the symposium was to have a discussion about the future of libraries in Alberta. It included 5 keynote speakers and a full day of roundtable discussions - world cafe style.

This website came out of the imagined outcomes of the Symposium - a website that could be used to continue the discussion that would begin during the NEXT Symposium; a website that would be open to a broader audience, and that could be used to showcase the efforts of Alberta's libraries. As such, it is an excellent resource for learning, sharing and provoking discussion around the future of libraries.

The 'Learn' part of the site includes resources for you to learn what this is all about. Access articles, papers, videos, podcasts and more to learn about the futures thinking concept, or just see what people are talking about when they talk #libfu (#libfu is the 'tag' people use when tweeting or blogging about this topic).

The 'Share' section of the site is where you can take part in the discussion. Comment on articles, vote on polls, explore library futures questions, or participate in the discussion forum.

If you want to 'provoke' site participants, become a member so that you can post new content. Perhaps you've thought of something that hasn't even been mentioned yet. Don't be afraid to share! That's what this site is all about.

The site also contains content from the NEXT Symposium if you are interested in learning more about what went on there. Photos, discussion topics and even keynote speaker videos are available.

The site is a great way to get thinking 'outside the box'.

Help your patrons with their Christmas wishlist!

Shopping season has begun and you may have more patrons asking you which e-readers are compatible with Overdrive e-books.  To help you answer this question, Overdrive has created this "cheat-sheet" for library staff: http://overdrive.com/files/ebook-cheat-sheet.pdf 

Take a look and help your patrons make smart purchases.  

New Board Members? Check this out!

In light of the recent municipal elections, many libraries will be gaining new board members. There are several resources available that new board members should be made aware of. In fact, all board members could benefit from knowing about them. Here are a few to start with:

• www.albertalibraries.ca is the new website of the Government of Alberta's Municipal Affairs Public Library Services Branch. The site offers a variety of information that is helpful to library trustees, including library Standards, funding, grant information and the structure of Alberta Library Service. There is also a forum for libraries to discuss information and ideas.
• Visit www.librarytrustees.ab.ca to learn about the Alberta Library Trustees Association (ALTA), which aims to promote effective library service by promoting trustee education and development.
• Chinook Arch will also be hosting a New Library Trustee Workshop. Board Members may choose to attend this workshop on either Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 10:00 am or on January 28, 2011 at 6:30 pm. Intended for new library trustees, or just those who would like a refresher, this session will include an orientation to the legislative role of the library board as well as the roles and responsibilities of individual trustees and the board as a while. An overview of System services and how Chinook Arch can assist member library boards in their roles will also be included.
• Check out http://chinookarchregionallibrarysystem.memberlodge.com/ for details on The Southern Alberta Library Conference. Cosponsored by Chinook Arch and Lethbridge Public Library, the conference will feature a variety of sessions relevant to board members with very reasonable registration fees.