This morning a post by Librarian By Day uncovered the news about OverDrive's implementation of further restrictions to the lending of Ebooks at the behest of HarperCollins: Publishing Industry Forces OverDrive and Other Library Ebook Vendors to Take a Giant Step Back.
Since then, the reports have been flying fast and furious on Twitter and the blogosphere. To get a full synopsis of what people have been saying check out the latest post on theanalogdivide: The Publisher That Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
At this time it is yet to be seen whether or not this will set a precedent in terms of how publishers will attempt to managing ebook purchasing. Chinook Arch only has one ebook that has been checked out over 26 times and we own two of that title. However, there are 522 holds on ebooks in the system, so that number could change drastically. As this issue unfolds, I will post links to different resources on this subject.
Other related posts:
Agnostic Maybe: The Publisher of Tolkien Has Taken a Business Lesson From Sauron
Librarian in Black: eBook Revolution, Begin | The eBook User’s Bill of Rights
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
E-Branding Your Library
Since I spend a lot of time thinking of about library web presences and enjoy listening to The Age of Persuasion, I thought I would write about the topic of e-branding today. While at the Internet Librarian Conference in October, I attended a session on “Managing Your Library's Online Presence.” One of the presenters – Jennifer Koerber, who is now the Web Service Librarian for Boston Public Library – spoke on how to effectively brand your library online.
Jennifer explained that with the explosion of social software like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and libraries' use of these, it is more important than ever that libraries employ consistent branding. She then demonstrated how libraries can do this across these web presences: by choosing similar or linking colors, using the same name everywhere, prominently displaying their logo, and finding a “voice.” A library's online voice, she continued, could be created through fonts, tone, and language. She urged those attending to find voices that were honest and similar to their own.
Upon returning to Chinook Arch, I talked about this session with Lauren Jessop, who immediately went and beautifully revamped both this blog and our Twitter feed. And now I have passed it on to you. So when you look at your Facebook page or Twitter feed, do you feel they accurately reflect your brand? When you write something for your website does it communicate the personality of your library? This is not to say that brands cannot be exciting, playful, or welcoming, but to be effective your brand should be consistent and recognizable. What does your brand say?
Jennifer explained that with the explosion of social software like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and libraries' use of these, it is more important than ever that libraries employ consistent branding. She then demonstrated how libraries can do this across these web presences: by choosing similar or linking colors, using the same name everywhere, prominently displaying their logo, and finding a “voice.” A library's online voice, she continued, could be created through fonts, tone, and language. She urged those attending to find voices that were honest and similar to their own.
Upon returning to Chinook Arch, I talked about this session with Lauren Jessop, who immediately went and beautifully revamped both this blog and our Twitter feed. And now I have passed it on to you. So when you look at your Facebook page or Twitter feed, do you feel they accurately reflect your brand? When you write something for your website does it communicate the personality of your library? This is not to say that brands cannot be exciting, playful, or welcoming, but to be effective your brand should be consistent and recognizable. What does your brand say?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Canada Reads Winner 2011
As a followup to Monday's post, I thought I would share the final results of Canada Reads 2011. After much debate, the winner is the political satire 'The Best Laid Plans' written by Terry Fallis.
For a full description of this novel and/or to watch the final debates, visit:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/2011/nominees/best-laid-plans.html
There are currently only three copies of this item in the System and the holds are piling up quickly!
http://chinookarch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/886379040_the_best_laid_plans
For a full description of this novel and/or to watch the final debates, visit:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/2011/nominees/best-laid-plans.html
There are currently only three copies of this item in the System and the holds are piling up quickly!
http://chinookarch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/886379040_the_best_laid_plans
Where will you go today?
I just read this quote on librarian.net and had to share it with you.
"Show me a town that denies funding to a library, and I'll show you a librarian who stays in the office. Show me a town that funds its library, and I'll show you a librarian who takes donuts down to the fire department. Who goes down to the city hall and goes into offices asking if they need anything. You have to be proactive. It might come as a shock to some of you, but a large part of the success of that library is your personality and the way you treat people."
This is a very powerful message that I think is often forgotten. Bring the library out to your community.
"Show me a town that denies funding to a library, and I'll show you a librarian who stays in the office. Show me a town that funds its library, and I'll show you a librarian who takes donuts down to the fire department. Who goes down to the city hall and goes into offices asking if they need anything. You have to be proactive. It might come as a shock to some of you, but a large part of the success of that library is your personality and the way you treat people."
This is a very powerful message that I think is often forgotten. Bring the library out to your community.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Canada Reads 2011
Since 2001, CBC has sponsored Canada Reads, an annual battle of the books, where five Canadian personalities debate to select the book Canadians should read. You can watch the debates live online February 7, 8, 9 or listen to them on CBC Radio One. To watch the debates online, visit http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/2011/02/canada-reads-debates-watch-and-chat-live-at-10-am-et-1.html
You can also try to sway the debate by voting in the online poll. http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/2011/canada-reads-2011-poll.html
Which book will come out the winner?
You can also try to sway the debate by voting in the online poll. http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/2011/canada-reads-2011-poll.html
Which book will come out the winner?
Friday, February 4, 2011
Unique Programs at Strathcona County Library
Strathcona County Library has one of the most interesting line-ups of library programs I've seen. We regularly browse through their program guide here at Chinook Arch, and so I thought I'd share some of the programs I find particularly interesting from their Winter 2011 Guide.
Kids Programs
Kids Programs
- Take Twenty Five - this program invites parents of preschool children to "take twenty five minutes to relax and learn about some of the best titles and literacy tips for preschool children." The Early Literacy Librarian shares favorite books and simple literacy activities appropriate for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
- Radiant Child Yoga - for children aged 3 to 5 years, this program is intended to "engage the dynamic energy of your children through body movement and breathing". The instructor uses a story based approach to engage children through rhymes, songs and movement.
- Sen-Seuss-ional Stories and Stuff - still my personal favorite children's author, I wish I could attend this "fantabulous good time!" intended for grade 1 to 3 students. It includes Seuss stories, games and activities as part of a "weird and wacky afternoon".
- Believe it or Not? - for students from grades 4 to 6, this program is for fans of Guiness World Records and Ripley's Believe It or Not. This program promises to "delve into mysterieis, trivia and more through books and YouTube videos". Participants are invited to join silly group challenges and slightly gross experiments.
- Strathcona Coin Kids - for students 8 to 16 years of age, this program asks participants to bring in "mysterious or old coins". The Coin Kids Club encourages the collecting of coins which can tell stories about art and history.
Programs for Teens:
- Hunger Games - this program invites participants to test their survival skills in games of strength, stealth and mental agility inspired by the books of Suzanne Collins.
- Teens Write! - teens are invited to come to this writing workshop to work with authors and find their writing voice.
- Teen Yoga - teens are enticed to this program by the promise of enhanced sports performance and de-stressing through breathing and relaxation techniques.
Programs for Adults:
- Travel Club - particpants are invited to "share [their] adventures, favorite destinations and best tips and trips with other travel lovers".
- Scrabble - this program is promoted as a way to improve your concentration and memory, as well as to enhance your language skills and potentially boost intelligence.
- Resume and Cover Letter Workshop - this program uses strategies and exercises to help participants effectively market themselves to potential employers. Participants receive a final version of their resume and cover letter after completing the workshop.
- Strong Moms - in celebration of International Women's Day (March 8, 2011) this program invites moms to enjoy a relaxing coffee and learn some emotional health and beauty tips to nurture and keep them strong.
You can read about the other programs taking place at Strathcona County Library on their website at: http://www.sclibrary.ab.ca/programmain.htm
There are lots of unique and interesting programs out there for your library to 'borrow'. There is even a search engine available at http://support.midhudson.org/ezprogram/ezprogram.htm which makes it easy to search for library programs anyone can do. It's worth taking a look at what others are doing. Whether you are able to provide many programs a week or just a few a year, why not offer something new and innovative to draw in new patrons or just bring back some old ones?
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