Postcards from the Cracker Coast

Have you checked out the IPL2? This site is the result of a merger of the Internet Public Library (IPL) and the Librarians’ Internet Index (LII). There are links to great resources on a multitude of topics.

The Lyrasis Preservation staff is presenting a series of articles on developing a disaster plan by May Day. You can find the Step One and Step Two on the Lyrasis blog, “Check it Out.”

Remember that the Lyrasis Preservation department can provide valuable assistance both before and after a disaster strikes your library. Check out the Disaster Resources on their website.

Customer service is among the most requested topics for workshops by our members. The cost of face-to-face workshops prohibits us from offering them in every library’s backyard. There are alternatives to formal training. A recent post on the ALA Learning blog discussed customer service skills for library staff. These ten points could be used at a staff meeting, or in a staff newsletter or email.

We do welcome your suggestions for workshops. We also would be happy to assist you with planning a staff development day.

Do you have a Rolodex full of business cards that you plan on transferring to Outlook or some other electronic address book? Well now there is Poken; a fun way to exchange information at meetings and conferences.

Poken is your ’social business card.’ it’s an easy way to share your contact details and online social networks in the real world. Just hold two poken palms together - high4! - and you’re connected.

There are cute characters and more professional styles as well. Check out all the designs on the Poken website.

From the Lyrasis News:

LYRASIS announces LYRA, a new resource sharing group serving the LYRASIS Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and New England regions, representing a major increase in free lending opportunities for members.

LYRA is an opt-in resource sharing group open to all LYRASIS members. Members of LYRA agree to borrow and lend returnable items (books and other resources) to other LYRA members for free.

For more information on resource sharing groups visit the Lyrasis site. You can also contact the Member Services Help Desk at 800.999.8558 or email membersupport@lyrasis.org.

Some of you may remember Sandra Davis who worked at the Pensacola Junior College Library. Her husband has written a book about growing up in the Pensacola area. His website provides more information and details for ordering.

We hope you will be joining us for the PLAN Annual Meeting in Niceville on Friday, October 23. Kate Nevins, Chief Executive Officier, Lyrasis, is our keynote speaker. Bill will present his State of the Coop address. If you are unable to attend, you can view the packet here.

I know many of you subscribe to a number of library related blogs. Have you ever considered blogs from other areas of interest? This post from Blogging Tips provides a list of 101 blogs that may assist you with your own blogging among other things. The list is organized by topics which include

• Design and Coding
• Writing
• Social Media
• Search Engines
• Marketing
• Copyright

You will probably find a few gems to add to your aggregator.

Do you have trouble getting in touch with your tech support department. Then, when you finally do, they ask, ” Did you try this, this and this?” The suggestions in this post from Web Worker Daily provide a list of tactics to try before you call. No more waiting for Tech Support to get back to you.

With funding from an LSTA grant, Wilderness Coast Public Libraries has produced a series of online training videos on a variety of topics. All handouts and videos are in the public domain. Topics include

• Computer basics
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• Photoshop
• PowerPoint
• Genealogy programs

These courses can provide an alternative or supplement to the classes your staff provides for the public.