The PLA Blog | Official Blog of the Public Library Association
Notice Anything at ALA11 Conference?
[Click on link to listen to lunch time jazz music at New Orleans Convention Center at ALA11 while you read this post.] My conference experience ended Monday afternoon after 3 days of thought provoking sessions and what were to me mind blowing exhibits brimming over with possiblities. Over all I had the feeling that good changes were happening [...]
RDA Change: It Don’t Come Easy
Change don’t come easy, especially in the very structured and detailed work of creating catalog records. At “Vendor Plans for Implementing RDA” six brave souls on the panel took on the complicated subject of how their companies are attempting to implement RDA. Curiously they were at different stages of the process. Some were still struggling [...]
The point and future of libraries: access to content
The point of libraries is to provide access to content. Regardless of format. More and more content is in electronic form. The difficulties of providing access to electronic content increasingly frustrates both library users and librarians. Existing pricing models, licensing agreements, and clunky access methods don’t fill libraries needs or help the library achieve it’s mission of providing access [...]
Libraries in the Cloud
At a Library Board meeting some months ago I was asked by a board member if we had considered moving our library technology to the “cloud” with the inference that we would not need the level of funding we were requesting for hardware, software, networking equipment, electrical, etc. Caught off guard I went blank for [...]
Program: Download This
Posted by Meg King-Sloan (Reporting from the Internet Cafe) Libraries have come a long way in how they provide downloadable materials to their patrons. So many people are getting e-readers (for themselves or as gifts), and they expect their libraries to have titles for them to download. Here are some suggestions to try to meet these demands: Libraries should [...]
Program: Seriously Social
Posted by Meg King-Sloan Here’s a relevant topic for libraries: how to get the most from your Facebook and Twitter accounts. Did you know that 225 million people have Twitter accounts, and 51% of people 12 and over have Facebook accounts? Here are some ideas and suggestions to make social media effective for your library. [...]
Day 1- A Good Beginning, Learning Curves, & World Domination
Surprisingly cool weather for the start of the ALA Conference in New Orleans. It’s all a matter of perspective. Last week temps in our drought stricken corner of Louisiana were over 100 degrees so low 90’s are a real blessing. We drove in from the west, and had an unexpectedly quick and pleasant drive from [...]
PLA preconference, Top Ten Benefits of Tough Economic Times
The PLA preconference, Top Ten Benefits of Tough Economic Times, was presented by Cathy Hakala-Ausperk and Kim Bolan Cullin. Cathy and Kim started the session by talking about the importance of the CASE philosophy. If you’re unfamiliar with the CASE it stands for Copy and Steal Everything. In that vein, I am going to present [...]
