MLS Special Libraries Networking Meeting: LinkedIn

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: MLS (Metropolitan Library System), Chicago office.

Before you head out to the SLA (Special Libraries Association) IL holiday party, make an afternoon of networking by attending the "MLS Special Libraries Networking Group Meeting: LinkedIn."

This meeting will feature speaker David Rahn, Senior Information Technology Management Professional. Dave Rahn has developed a thorough knowledge of the LinkedIn capabilities. If you are already a frequent user, you will learn something new. If you are not using the tool or like most folks are not using it to its full capability, you will come away with a new awareness of the power and ease of use of this tool.

Description: For establishing and maintaining professional contacts, there is no more powerful social networking tool than LinkedIn. Whether you are promoting your business, seeking the next great employee, or looking for your next career opportunity, LinkedIn is a valuable and generally free resource.

Register for this meeting at the library learning website.

New Models for Library Service: Embracing Technology, Building Partnerships

Please join your colleagues for this exciting LACONI/RASS (Library Administrators Conference of Northern Illinois/Reference and Adult Services) fall symposium.

Date: Friday, November 20, 2009.
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Addison Public Library, 4 Friendship Plaza, Addison, IL 60101

Changes in technology and patron behavior are providing many new opportunities to provide point-of-need service to entirely new audiences. This program aims to highlight some of the tools and partnerships that can be leveraged to create an even greater connection with your community.

Featured speakers:

• Jonathan Bullington, Triblocal, discussing hyperlocal media as an opportunity for libraries throughout the area.
• Lynn Dennis, Roselle Public Library, providing a demonstration of the Roselle Library Ning network, and showing how social tools can be used for facilitating conversation and building stronger ties with your public.
• Toby Greenwalt, Skokie Public Library, offering a brief overview of current trends in making library services more useful for mobile devices.
• Bill Pardue, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, exploring the how social media tools like Twitter and Facebook provide multiple opportunities for librarians to provide active reference.

Registration for this program is free. RSVP by email to RoseAnn Vonesh, or by phone at 708/452-3465.

See the LACONI/RASS program flier for more information.

Still Time to Sign Up for LACONI Administrator's Section Program and Meeting

In The Mind of a Cyber Predator

Date: Friday, November 20, 2009
Location: Bensenville Public Library District
200 South Church Road Bensenville, IL 60106
630/766-4642

See previous blog post, and the program flier for more information.

New Email Address for WebJunction Illinois

WebJunction Illinois has a new email address, webjunction.illinois@gmail.com. To make it easier to contact WebJunction Illinois for any issue or question, all the WebJunction email access points have been combined into one easy to remember email address: webjunction.illinois@gmail.com.

To assure fast and effective response, WebJunction email is monitored by the WebJunction Illinois assistant with back-up monitoring by LCLS (Lewis and Clark Library System) staff and independent contractors. The WebJunction Illinois assistant will either resolve your question or as needed, refer it to the appropriate person for completion.

Please update your contact information to reflect the new email address.

PC World Article on Books and the iPhone

This article from PC World on books and the iPhone was just "tweeted" on the DLS Twitter account. Visit DLS on Twitter.

LACONI Program on Using Social Media for Marketing

Colleagues from DLS and other library systems learned a wealth of new information at the October 16 LACONI (Library Administrators Conference of Northern Illinois) program Using Social Media to Market Your Library at the Orland Park Public Library. 

Attendees heard social media expert Jeff Willinger, Director of Business Development and Marketing at RightPoint Consulting and Rachel Lindberg Miller, Communications Specialist at the Rotary Foundation.

Willinger encouraged library staff to set up Google Alerts to advise them when their library is mentioned in newspapers or blogs. He also stressed that it takes time to get results and followers; as libraries continue to experiment with social media, the results aren't always immediately evident. It also takes time to establish and maintain an online presence. Willinger stressed that librarians are "building community" and also discussed what he called "management pushback" regarding the use of social networking at corporations.
 
Willinger shared numerous videos and examples with the audience and included a demonstration of his favorite online services including Twhirl, Tweetdeck, SeesmicDesktop, Retweetist, and Twitalyzer.

The Library 101 Project Is Live Now!

Have you seen it? Have you heard the song and seen the music video? Have you read any of the 23 essays from some of the greatest minds in Libraryland? Have you looked at the carefully selected list of 101 hyperlinked resources that share critically important things to think about and know in order to ensure a vibrant future for libraries, even as technology changes the information access and community landscapes?

Well you should go check it out!

And while you are there, please notice there there are comment boxes all over the place along with easy share buttons on almost every page. Chime in and talk about what YOU think the new Library 101 is. So…what is your Library 101? Check out the Library 101 Project to let the world know!

Variety of Resources Available on WebJunction

In the recent issue of What’s New @ WJIL you’ll find everything from training on using the new IL Resource Sharing Policy Directory, to a guide and templates for disaster planning and recovery, new WJIL spotlights, how to enhance broadband access and so much more. 

Submitted by WebJunction Illinois.

ILEAD U Update: Team Deadline Extended, DLS Team Seeks Fifth Member

The deadline for ILEAD U team applications has been extended to Nov. 23, 2009. Teams that are accepted will be notified by Jan. 8, 2010.

The DLS team forming to serve the English language learner population is still seeking a fifth member. This is a great opportunity to serve this community while learning leadership skills and participatory technology. If you're interested in joining the team, please review the application and then contact Jane Plass at DLS.

Applications for ILEAD U mentors and instructors are still due on Oct. 30, 2009. Mentors and instructors will be notified of acceptance by Nov. 16, 2009.

Email and Electronic Marketing Services Vendor Demo

Date: Thursday, November 5, 2009
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Location: MLS (Metropolitan Library System) Burr Ridge office.

Is your library interested in email and electronic marketing services? Attend this free demo and meet the following vendors to hear about their service (more vendors to join shortly):

• BookLetters
• DearReader

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, with 30 minute presentations by each of the vendors rotating in the MLS meeting rooms. There are two ways to attend this event:

1. You can attend from the start to the end and simply move from room to room.
2. Pick a time slot and a room when you arrive, and hear just the vendor you want to visit.

Schedule:
Registration: 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Session 1: 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Session 2: 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Session 3: 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Questions and visit with vendors again: 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Register and get more information at the Library Learning website.