Postcards from the Cracker Coast

Here’s another option for your Reader’s Advisory services. At Literature map the user enters an author’s name. The resulting screen of authors are placed in groups. The closer two authors names are together the more likely someone will like them.

I recently read a post about open sources options for education resources. 50 Open Source Tools That Replace Popular Education Apps has a list of resources in various categories, not just for K12 folks, but for home-schoolers and academics too.

I’ve been catching up on my blog reading and learned about 2 great recommendation tools.

Sarah Houghton-Jan wrote a post about Hunch. Answer a few questions and get recommendations on a variety of topics.

David Booker wrote about The Book Seer on his blog. Enter a book title and author name and you receive a list of similar books from Amazon and Library Thing.

Every librarian and library user in Florida owes Paul Clark a thank you. He was there to remind legislators why libraries are important. Let him know you appreciate his efforts.

Sarah Houghton-Jan has written a post listing tips and tools for saving money on technology. In these times of economic uncertainty, I’m sure everyone could find at least one helpful item in this list. Check out the comments for additional ideas.

I have just read two interesting items about e-books/e-publishing. “Going Out of Print” from Technology Review discusses how the e-book is transforming the publishing industry. There is the potential for technology to change how people consume information. In “What’s a Real Book” on David Lee King’s blog, he urges librarians to get past the container and focus on content. After all, adapting to new technologies and providing our patrons with options in how they consume information should be our priority.

Does your library help people accomplish their tasks or does it put up roadblocks? Check out The Usable Library and see how your library stacks up.

Helen Moeller, Director of the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library, announced this week that she would be retiring at the end of the month. PLAN is once more losing one its founding members. Helen served on the first Board of Directors as Vice-President from 1991-1993. She also served on the Board in 1996-1997 and 2003-2004.

We wish Helen wonderful experiences in her retirement. We know whatever she chooses to do, she will bring her good humor and willing spirit.

National Library Week is just around the corner.  Bay County Public Library has a week full of activities planned.  Be sure to check out their website for the entire list of National Library Week Activies.

Also be sure to check out award winning Kathy L. Patrick, author of The Pulpwood Queens’ Tiara-Wearing, Book-Sharing Guide to Life.  She will be at the Bay County Public Library on Tuesday April 13 7:30.

All activities are open to the public and free of charge.

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There’s an article on the American Libraries website, “10 Technology Ideas Your Library Can Implement Next week.” These ideas are easy enough for even your less techie staff. I like no.4, develop a technology skills list for staff. After creating your competencies list, let PLAN know what training we can provide to get your staff up to speed.