A number of Canadian public libraries are pioneering a new service delivery model, which emphasizes collaborative service development and delivery, with library staff and the communities the library serves. Through this community-led service framework, library staff work with communities to understand their needs and deliver services that meet those needs, often devoting significant time outside the library walls. This article highlights two Canadian urban libraries which have embraced the community-led service approach, in order to remain relevant in our ever-changing environment.
From Maria Popova @brainpicker "In 1935, in an effort to elevate the nation from the grip of The Great Depression, President Roosevelt launched the Works Progress Administration - a New Deal agency enlisting millions of ordinary citizens and unskilled workers in carrying out public space and service projects as diverse as art murals.... Among the WPA's design output were a number of gorgeous vintage posters for various literacy projects..."
"Numerous libraries - be they specialty, public, or affiliated with a school - have harnessed its popularity to push education and literacy causes to the digital generation....Some of the best-curated Pinterest accounts out there fuse old and new into a spectacularly informative feast for the mind. "
For those who love reading and books. This new community is devoted to all things literary. You will be able to find find recommendations for students as well as yourself. Users share what they are reading in addition to making lists such as "Kids Books About Silent Movies" and "Children's Fiction That Deals With Tragedy."
It is an interesting programme which is trying to investigate how children actually use digital books. It is hoped that the research will help school librarians and teachers to adjust to the way in which pupils use E-books.With lots of resources, information, tips and news, this is an interesting site to peruse.
"Ginipic takes image search to a whole new level. Now you can search image search engines, photo sharing websites or your own local picture collections simultaneously. Find what you're looking for and use it instantly in your own creation - document, presentation, art work"
Collaboration between the Teacher and the Librarian is essential to further student achievement. If you are new to collaboration, or you haven't flexed your collaborative skills lately, here are some resources you might find
useful!
As the Internet has evolved into a major source of information for students researching history and social studies, it also has become a place where hidden agendas and false information can trip up both students new to a topic and teachers searching for credible sources of historical data.
Beware of Books
an online reading group
Share your love of reading, learn about new books to look for, share opinions, accept challenges, and publish book reviews.
Librarians' Internet Index (LII) is a publicly-funded website and weekly newsletter serving California, the nation, and the world.
Every Thursday morning we send out our free newsletter, New This Week, which features dozens of high-quality websites carefully selected, described, and organized by our team of librarians. Topics include current events and issues, holidays and seasons, helpful tools for information users, human interest, and more.
Each month, the site presents a list of significant literary events that have occurred in that month through out history. Check-in on a monthly basis to find out new information
Shelfari is the premier social network for people who love books.
Create a virtual shelf to show off your books, see what your friends are reading and discover new books - all for free!
a site that softens all the fantastic advanced functions Google offers. This site is meant for all those who are not yet familiar with all the possibilities of Google and all the required syntaxes.
For instance, one can specify a search by one particuliar site or filetype( word, excel, powerpoint and pdf) or an imagesearch by size and type.
Furthermore there are many useful tools Google offers; search in the latest news, look up definitions or use Google as a phonebook.
And last but not least, the Calculator. This amazing tool let's you do all kind of (very advanced) calculations. Soople has added the unit-converter, which is based on this calculator, for the conversion of all the commmon units/measures (metersyards)
Librarians' Internet Index (LII) is a publicly-funded website and weekly newsletter serving California, the nation, and the world.
Every Thursday morning we send out our free newsletter, New This Week, which features dozens of high-quality websites carefully selected, described, and organized by our team of librarians. Topics include current events and issues, holidays and seasons, helpful tools for information users, human interest, and more
Over the past few years, Nelson Lauver's nationally syndicated radio feature "The American Storyteller Radio Journal" has established a dedicated U.S. listener base. Fans refer to his stories as unique, timeless and "great radio" and have likened his style to that of Charles Kuralt and Mark Twain.
Now, the complete library of these 4-minute radio stories is available free online at www.TheAmericanStoryteller.com.
Visitors to the site can search the approximately 300 story library by keyword or over 20 topics -- then listen to, download, link to, or send the story to a friend. Each 4-minute, mp3 story is broadcast quality and available in high speed or dial-up versions.
There is also a free "story of the week" feature whereby visitors can sign up to automatically receive a new story link every Wednesday.
While the average listener demographic is 24 to 60 years of age, stories are suitable for all ages. Subjects range from hometown America to interesting incidents and individuals, real people profiles, American History, etc.