The Conference Argument

With the Southern Alberta Library Conference (SALC) just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to talk about conferences and why they are so important. As a library staff person you might find yourself in the position of having to convince your supervisor or Board to spend the money to send you to a conference or two. As Board Members, you may have to convince fellow trustees of the importance of attending conferences. The tips below will help you be more persuasive.

Be sure to explain the benefits of attending conferences:

• Learning new ideas, techniques and strategies to bring back to your library and community. These can result in new and innovative services, unique ways of reaching patrons new and old, and even cost and time savings.
• Networking and relationship building opportunities:
• You will meet library colleagues (staff and trustees) from around the province, country or even world! These colleagues can be an important support network for asking for advice, finding new ways to solve old problems and building partnerships. 
• You will meet vendors, which will allow you to learn about new products and services for your library. It will also allow you to comparison shop and find ways to maximize your budget, more quickly and easily than you could from your office.
• You may even have the chance to speak with funders and decision-makers - a great opportunity to advocate for the library.
• Conferences are a great way to re-energize yourself. There are so many ideas flowing at conferences that there will likely be at least one thing (if not many more) that gets you excited. It will renew your passion for your job and get you excited to try something new. The energy and passion for libraries at conferences is infectious and inspirational.

When asking for the support of your Board (or fellow Board members) to attend a conference, be prepared:

• Gather all the information you will need about costs.  What costs are you asking them to cover? There is the registration fee, the cost of a hotel room, and the cost of travel. Of course, costs might also include having someone cover for you at the library, and meals (this cost is covered in the registration fees of some conferences - including SALC). Ensure that you register early if possible, as usually there are cost savings for doing so. You may also want to consider membership in the organization running the conference, as this sometimes saves money as well.
• Look at the program, and plan your sessions and other conference events. This will help you explain what sorts of things you hope to learn, and what people you hope to meet at the conference.
• Put together a plan - how will your duties at the library be covered while you're away? How long will you be gone (i.e. do you need a day or two for travel?). How will you be contacted, if needed, while at the conference?
• Also, let them know how you will use the information you learn at the conference. Will you share it with them? With other staff? How will you implement new ideas upon your return?

Having this information ready will show that you are serious about using this opportunity for professional development and that the library will get a return upon it's investment.

If you haven't already got approval for attending SALC, do it soon! Early bird registration ends on January 11. This conference is extremely affordable and offers lots of networking opportunities.  Register at: http://chinookarchregionallibrarysystem.memberlodge.com/

(Source: "Ask Gayle", Rural Library Services Newsletter, Vol 23, Issue 4, July/Aug 2012)

An E-Book Buyer's Guide to Privacy

In considering purchasing an ebook reader, another consideration you might want to make is whether you are choosing a device that has the potential to compromise your (or the receiver's) privacy. More and more, our buying habits and activities are being tracked technologically, so it is wise to be aware of the information you are handing out to companies.

Luckily, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) - whose tag line is "Defending Your Rights in the Digital World" - publishes an annual guide for e-book buyers on privacy.  They produce an easy to read chart that identifies the following characteristics for the most popular ereaders:

• Can they keep track of searches for books?
• Can they monitor what you're reading and how you're reading it after purchase and link that information back to you? Can they do that when the e-book is obtained elsewhere?
• What compatibility does the device have with books not purchased from an associated eBook store?
• Do they keep a record of book purchases? Can they track book purchases or acquisitions made from other sources?
• With whom can they share the information collected in non-aggregated form?
• Do they have mechanisms for customers to access, correct, or delete the information?
• Can they share information outside the company without the customer's consent?

Not all of the answers are clear - sometimes it's just not known what information they might be collecting, but at least you will be aware of the possibilities.  Looking at this guide might scare one off from even buying eReaders, but again, at least being aware of what information you might be providing is the key - knowledge is power.

EFF explains that the stacked license agreements and privacy policies for the devices, software platforms and e-books stores you access just to read one ebook can mean reading thousands of words of legalese before you can even get into the book.  This chart makes it easy to find out what you are agreeing to (even if you already own an ereader - check this out before you purchase your next ebook).

The E-Reader Privacy Chart, 2012 Edition can be found at: https://www.eff.org/pages/reader-privacy-chart-2012

What EReader Should I Buy for Christmas?

The above question is one that I have answered for countless patrons, library staff, and, most recently, my father-in-law. As eReaders still seem to be a hot item this holiday season, I have created this quick-and-dirty explanation of  how to best answer this question.

Would you prefer to read eBooks on an eReader or a Tablet?

Library eBooks are generally read on two different kinds of devices: eReaders and tablets. Quite simply, eReaders are like electronic books, while tablets are like tiny computers.

EReaders

The most popular eReaders in Canada are the Kobo (Glo, Mini, and Touch), the Sony Reader, and, if you are cross-border shopping, the NOOK (Simple Touch with GlowLight and Simple Touch). EReaders use a technology called e-Ink that more closely mimics print and makes it easier to look at the screen for longer period of time. It reduces the amount of glare from the screen. Overall, ereaders tend to be less costly, lighter, and have better battery life – up to 2 months. If you mostly want to read books, have vision problems, or find it hard to hold heavy books for long period so time, an eReader might be right for you!

Tablets

The hottest tablets in Canada right now are IPad, the Samsung Galaxy Tablet, and the Acer. The new Microsoft Surface was also released in October 2012 and supports OverDrive eBooks. It is included on Tablets are multi-purpose devices that let you browse the Internet, play games, view videos, and more. As such, they tend to have shorter battery lives, some as low as 8 hours. Also, tablets are much heavier and more expensive devices than eReaders, starting at $200. If you are looking for a device that does a lot more than read eBooks and are not deterred by the cost, screen, or weight, you might prefer a tablet! For more brand new tablets that work with OverDrive, check out their Holiday Gadget Guide: Hottest Devices for Library eBooks.

What about the Kindle?

If you haven’t yet heard, the Kindle does not work with Canadian library eBooks. This is due to restrictions placed by Amazon on the device. There are two exceptions though. You can get the Freading eBooks app on the Kindle Fire and OverDrive audiobooks will play on the Kindle Fire HD using OverDrive Media Console. If you are wondering what other eReading devices work with Canadian library eBooks, you can find a list compatible and incompatible devices on OverDrive’s website.

Is there anything else I should consider?

A personal eReading device is a very individual choice. Make sure you do your research and seriously consider what the person you are buying for might wish to do. Check out blogs, question service staff, and quiz out friends or acquaintances about any devices they own. At one of my eReader sessions, one patron told me that for Christmas last year, her spouse purchased two devices for her, let her choose which one she like best, and then returned the other one.

For more information, check out the "Thinking of getting an eReader?" section at bottom of your Downloadable EBooks page, on your library’s website under Digital Content or contact me at Chinook Arch. Happy shopping!

Holiday Gift Ideas from the Library

December is such a busy month - parties, family dinners, gift wrapping and the dreaded lines to visit Santa. Who has time to visit the library?  Who has time to read?  Well, perhaps a visit to the library is the best thing to ease holiday stress.  Libraries have a number of resources to assist patrons in their holiday rush.

1. Help your patrons find the perfect gift using Consumer Reports.  Check out the 2012 Gift Guide or simply search for a specific item.  Using Consumer Reports can help your patrons make informed shopping decisions and stay on budget.

2. Do you have a patron who is still looking for ideas for that hard to buy for person?  Canadian Business has just the thing in their list of "18 Perfect Gifts."

3. I don't know about you, but I love getting books as gifts - cookbooks, novels, you name it, a book makes a great gift.  If you or your patrons need book ideas there are 970 lists in Bibliocommons that offer up the best books to give as gifts (at the time of writing).

For more gift ideas for book lovers, check out the Globe and Mail's Top 100 books list (I just wish it had cover art; yes, I do judge a book by its cover from time to time).

4. Know someone who wants to make a homemade gift for their co-workers or neighbors?  Check out these books or show them the joys of Pinterest.  Just search for "homemade gifts" or "edible gifts" - Pinterest is highly addictive; you've been warned!

I hope these links will get you on the "nice" list with your patrons this year.  Happy Holidays!