LibWorm.com provides a librarian RSS filtering service. Over 1500 RSS librarian sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest headlines from journals and sites in the Education interest group. http://www.libworm.com/rss/librarianqueries.php Fri, 05 Aug 2011 02:50:25 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://blogs.cetis.ac.uk/pah1/2010/02/11/are-we-crawlers-walkers-or-runners-when-it-comes-to-business-intelligence-in-higher-education/ I was pleased to attend with JISC colleagues the recent UCISA Business Intelligence event in Bristol In the context of current CETIS work in the support and synthesis project for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Student Life-cycle support project. There were a variety of speakers at the event and a great deal consistency of issues [...] (Source: JISC CETIS News) Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0100 818357 http://hhsmedia.blogspot.com/2010/05/summer-and-ap-reading-book-fair.html It's time to get ready for summer reading! Mark your calendars:May 24-28, the HHS Media Center will host a book fair sponsored by Educate & Celebrate. Students can buy books during the school day. We will accept cash and checks made payable to HHS. (Source: Huntingtown High School Library Media Center) Mon, 16 May 2011 04:00:00 +0100 846087 http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/01435121111112899 Abstract: Purpose – At the turn of this century, it was decided to renovate higher education in Finland and, as a result, three new universities were created by merging existing units. One of these new universities is the University of Eastern Finland, which was formed from the Universities of Joensuu and Kuopio. The merger started in 2007 and in 2008 and 2009 there was a reorganisation of the two previous libraries' management and service provision to create a single new library. The quality management system that the library has been building was used in this process. This paper aims to describe how the strategy was defined; how the organization developed as well as the working order and how a quality manual for the new merged library was created. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a case study. Findings – The library could utilize its quality management system in merging the two libraries and their service production. It is important for the whole staff to participate in the process. Research limitations/implications – The paper is based on Finnish experiences. Practical implications – Models for managing a merger process are presented in the paper. The benefits of a participant management style as well as retaining the best practices from the old libraries into the new unit are emphasised. Originality/value – The paper discusses the merger of two libraries and the change management processes involved. (Source: Library Management : Table of Contents) Mon, 21 Feb 2011 02:05:05 +0100 895878 http://joblist.ala.org/modules/jobseeker/controller.cfm?rssjobid=16356 Library Support Technician / Librarian I (University of Maine, Maine) Library Support Technician: Maine InfoNet and The University of Maine System Libraries invite applications from service-oriented individuals for the position of Library Support Technician / Librarian I.  The Library Support Technician provides technical and customer support for online library services made available through Maine InfoNet, the University of Maine System, and the Maine State Library.  This position provides first level support for various online library services managed through Maine InfoNet, such as the URSUS catalog and University, system and statewide research tools, and the Maine InfoNet Download Library. ... Fri, 31 Dec 2010 05:20:02 +0100 895749 http://www.teleread.com/paul-biba/high-paper-prices-hurt-publishers-in-kenya/ From The Standard: It is back to school again, but the book industry in Kenya is reeling under the effects of skyrocketing paper prices in the world market coupled with low purchasing power for their book titles. Citing rising raw material costs for missed earnings, shrinking profits and frequent change of syllabus texts by the Ministry of Education, publishers are sending a cry to the Government to intervene by giving tax waivers on paper and inputs used to produce school books. Publishers warned that free primary and secondary education goal may be jeopardised by the prohibitive cost of books beyond the reach of many parents and students. But in this challenging environment, where Pan Paper Mills in Webuye , Kenya’s sole manufacturer of paper stopped production, publishers are struggling with strategies to protect their companies – without drastically raising book prices. (Source: TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home) Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:46:26 +0100 895765 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LawLibrarianBlog/~3/T1kw7Kq_Zvk/using-ebooks-ereaders-in-your-library.html The Creekview High School Library (a/k/a The Unquiet Library) staff in Georgia have been documenting the library's process of acquiring and lending Kindles and Kindle book editions on The Unquiet Librarian blog and in a series of YouTube videos, which... (Source: Law Librarian Blog) Thu, 30 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895840 http://keptup.typepad.com/academic/2010/12/ohio-will-grade-teacher-education-programs-.html The state of Ohio adopted a new “report card” earlier this month to judge how effective education programs at public and private universities are at training new teachers. The Ohio Board of Regents has developed 14 standards it will use to analyze the performance of education colleges, and the teachers they produce, beginning in 2011.  Criteria that will be evaluated include: How a university’s graduates score on the state’s new Teacher Performance Assessment, how well the university places teachers in “hard-to-staff” Ohio school districts and how much students learn during a one-year period in a particular teacher’s class.  Read more at: http://www.recordpub.com/news/article/4954486 (Source: The Kept-Up Academic Librarian) Thu, 30 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895690 http://keptup.typepad.com/academic/2010/12/for-profit-stocks-in-slump-while-their-students-are-trapped-in-debt.html Students seeking to move up in life by getting a degree from a for-profit college are being trapped in a growing underclass of education debtors. Only 14 percent of community college students take out loans, compared with 97 percent of for-profit students seeking an associate’s degree. An index (Source: The Kept-Up Academic Librarian) Thu, 30 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895689 http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.education.web4lib/17253 Our public library consortium went live with Boopsie back in April. Overall, it's been a very positive experience and we've had few major issues. Our usage isn't huge, but it is about 20-25 percent of detectable smart phone use on our catalog, and I don't think we've even been promoting it that heavily. The user base is really steady, and has reached 1 percent of catalog use a couple of times. It just seems that people who start using it continue using it, and that's a good sign. We've found that people really do "get in, get it done and get out" with Boopsie, in that almost every search leads to a request. Every once in a while, it'll stop working, but this has generally been due to changes we've made to our ILS, and their tech support has been very fast in getting us back up every time. At first our updates weren't frequent, but by July they had set it up where Boopsie is checking hourly to see if there's a new data file, and if there is, uploading it. We've found that one update overnight is s (Source: gmane.education.web4lib) Thu, 30 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895624 http://nnlm.gov/mcr/news_blog/2010/12/plain-language-guides/ Harvard’s School of Public Health has 4 plain language guides/glossaries posted on their web site for download. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/healthliteracy/resources/glossaries/index.html [rb] (Source: Midcontinental Region News) Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:04:25 +0100 895628 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/29/cutbacks-leavis-english-impact-literary-criticism The end of subsidies and a focus on 'impact'-led research may force literary criticism to reconnect with the public imaginationThe lamentations of English scholars suffering government cutbacks have echoed around the Comment is free and education pages recently. Having three English degrees myself, two of which were free, I feel an instinctive sympathy for this view. But further reflection into the way the subject has changed over the last few decades makes me wonder whether the removal of subsidies, and the introduction of new "impact"-focused research assessments, may not be in the long-term interests of the subject.For most of the past century, prominent academic literary critics – FR Leavis, CS Lewis, Frank Kermode, David Lodge and Terry Eagleton, to name but a few – have sustained animated and original literary debate in the public arena. Some were also novelists, some were prominent media commentators, but all of them published criticism that broke new ground among both academic critics and a wider interested audience. This breadth was crucial in the establishment of English as both a popular and influential discipline. Think of the impact of Leavis in the "two cultures" debate, to select merely the highest-profile example. Yet critics with this profile are now either dead or retired from academic life. Who will maintain the profile of literary criticism?I enrolled as an undergraduate English student at UCL in 1994. How we laughed at the nerds in acrid science labs populated by uncommunicative men with beards, unable to debate their subject in public. Barely 15 years later, there is a much more exciting public debate among scientists than among literary critics. On what topic does Richard Dawkins not have a trenchant opinion?The campus novel genre shows how English studies used to value its public following. ... Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0100 895571 http://keptup.typepad.com/academic/2010/12/twelve-notable-higher-education-stories-of-2010.html In chronological order: (Source: The Kept-Up Academic Librarian) Wed, 29 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895504 http://joblist.ala.org/modules/jobseeker/controller.cfm?rssjobid=16327 Access Services Librarian - Kemp Library #2010000318 (East Stroudsburg University -- ESU, Pennsylvania) University seeks an experienced Access Services Librarian to supervise and coordinate the areas of Circulation, ILL, Stacks Maintenance, Reserves, and Document Delivery in the Kemp Library. This is a full-time, nine month, continuing tenure track faculty position within Kemp Library and reports directly to the Library Dean. As part of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. Kemp Library has a staff of 9 Full-time library faculty and 13 staff. The general collection consists of over 564,000 books, serial back-files and government documents in print, and more than 1. ... Wed, 29 Dec 2010 01:20:02 +0100 895386 http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/dec/29/nudge-in-the-wrong-direction I am pleased to hear this government does not regard behavioural economics as a silver bullet since there are problems with its derivative in "nudging" (The nudge is no fudge, 28 December). The agenda for nudging is predicated on the assumption that people have well-formed preferences. Where people's preferences are poorly formed or unstable, nudging reduces to constructing people's preferences for them, in a manner akin to advertising. This is dangerous because policymakers themselves may not be immune to behavioural traits, because vested interests may capture the policy agenda, and because government cannot presume to know what is in citizens' own best interests.Behavioural economics has been around for long enough to demonstrate that people's behaviour is a great deal more complex than nudging implies: behaviour is highly contextual and varies with a number of factors (eg age and education). What we do know is that, in the absence of detailed case studies and cost-benefit analysis, nudging can have unpredictable and potentially undesirable consequences. The behavioural insight team would do well to treat the critique of nudging with greater seriousness than is currently the case.Dr Judith MehtaCentre for competition policy, University of East Anglia• In welcoming David Cameron's happiness initiative, Larry Elliott says that it makes sense to look at the impact that factors such as inequality have on our wellbeing (Can shopaholic Britain be happy with less?, 27 December). Of course this would be a fine endeavour, but why does he think that the prime minister is interested in the impact of inequality on wellbeing? In launching the initiative, Cameron specifically dismissed the huge volume of evidence demonstrating this connection, saying that he was not aware that anyone wanted to pay higher taxes (ie lower inequality means higher taxes).There is plenty of other evidence showing that what counts in terms of wellbeing is social context. ... Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:05:02 +0100 895383 http://www.slis.indiana.edu/careers/view_job_specific.php?job_id=8997 State: Massachusetts The incumbent is responsible for managing the E-Resources, Serials, & Government Documents (ESG) Acquisitions unit, which performs acquisitions of continuing resources (including monographic series received on standing orders and government documents) in paper, microform, and electronic formats. Working closely with the ESG Cataloging unit, the incumbent participates in establishing ESG policies and procedures in consultation with other unit managers and appropriate staff. ... Tue, 28 Dec 2010 14:10:02 +0100 895333 http://web.docuticker.com/go/docubase/62074 Where is the Learning? Measuring Schooling Efforts in Developing Countries Source: Brookings Institution Achieving universal education is a twofold challenge: to get children and youth into school and then to teach them something meaningful while they are there. While important progress has been made on the first challenge, there is a crisis [...] (Source: Docuticker) Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:41:00 +0100 895347 http://collectingmythoughts.blogspot.com/2010/12/honolulu-record.html is/was a Communist newspaper published in Hawaii. Frank Davis, President Obama's mentor and friend of his grandparents, wrote for this paper because he was a Communist. However, tracking down links to the archives is a bit iffy--they seem to be "broken." But I did finally get one to work--the archives at the University Of Hawaii, Center for Labor Education & Research.I thought Communists, at least the CPUSA, had tired of hiding and were now out in the open, after first removing any mention of themselves from current history books--published since the mid-90s, at least. This description of the Honolulu Record is an example of a cleaned up summary of a political system that managed to murder about 70,000,000 people in the 20th century, and the first to go are often their own party comrades with whom they squabble, put on trial, then shoot or send to a gulag."In 1948, Koji Ariyoshi, a social activist, published a labor focused newspaper called the Honolulu Record. Founded on social change, Koji wanted to present another view on local and world issues, especially issues that affected the working class people of Hawaii."For another "view" all Ariyoshi would have needed was an account of some 1930s purge trials in the USSR looking for someone to blame for their economy. (Source: Collecting my Thoughts) Tue, 28 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895394 http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.education.web4lib/17251 Our Boopsie implementation should go live within the next few weeks. We're very excited, but we're also not going to call it done when the App is out... We've been studying mobile all year -- and are convinced that not only do we need to get library services in everyone's hot little hands :0) but also respect the choice users make on what they want to tote around with them, whether it's a smartphone, a tablet, or something in-between (or completely different). The concept of choice looms large for me -- with so much movement in the device market, committing to one mobile platform or another, no matter how ultra-cool it is (are you listening, Apple?) sends the wrong message to users who love their choice of a different, equally ultra-cool platform like Android, RIM, and many more. For instance, our ILS vendor had a great iPhone app, but nothing for other popular platforms. Choice also applies to another aspect -- I love Apps because they *limit* choice in a very powerful way. With an App, it's (ideally (Source: gmane.education.web4lib) Tue, 28 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895297 http://joblist.ala.org/modules/jobseeker/controller.cfm?rssjobid=16311 Professor and Director of the Harrington School of Communication and Media (University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island) The University of Rhode Island (www.uri.edu) is the state’s largest university, with an enrollment of about 13,000 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate students on four campuses.  With nationally and internationally renowned faculty engaged in a broad range of research, teaching and outreach activities, URI is a land grant, sea grant and urban grant institution.  The University’s 1,200 acre main campus is located in Kingston, about 30 miles south of Providence and six miles from the coast. ... Mon, 27 Dec 2010 23:20:01 +0100 895231 http://joblist.ala.org/modules/jobseeker/controller.cfm?rssjobid=16312 Literacy Program Specialist (Huntington Beach Public Library, California) The City of Huntington Beach is seeking a Literacy Program Specialist who will plan, implement, coordinate, promote and supervise all training provided by the Adult Literacy Program and the volunteer program tutors. Qualifications:  Bachelor's degree in education, administration, library science, social or behavioral science, or a closely related field; plus three years' experience developing and implementing adult education programs and activities. For a full job description, benefits summary and to APPLY ONLINE visit www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/jobs. (Source: Latest ALA Job Listings) Mon, 27 Dec 2010 23:20:01 +0100 895230 http://careercenter.sla.org/jobs/3827783/librarian US - CA - Davis, BLS or MLS. Excellent library skill, catalog, research, telephone skills, facility with windows-based software (experience with Outlook, Word, Excel, Quickbooks, or iMIS membership software a plu (Source: SLA Career Center Search Results []) Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:26:00 +0100 895234 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TameTheWeb/~3/jIcIwH2V_XE/ http://www.cyclingforlibraries.org/ It’s the first cycling unconference for librarians! Cycling for libraries is a politically and economically independent unconference and a bicycle tour.  We are bicycling from Copenhagen, Denmark to Berlin, Germany via Gedser and Rostock from 28th May to 7th June 2011. Read more about the route. The tour will take about 10 days. At the moment we have confirmed only the day of the closing seminar, which will be on June 6th in Berlin. The official closing will be on the next day after participating the opening ceremony and the joint cycling event of the German Library Conference. It builds physical and mental well-being of library professionals, grassroots networking, and internationalism and — last but not least — the crucial role of libraries for the society and for the intellectual and scientific education in general. Cycling for libraries also supports environmental values and ecological way of life. Cycling for libraries inherits many values from librarianship. Openness, liberalism, access to information, lifelong learning and innovativeness are among these values. Librarianship is also by it’s very nature humanist, internationalist, cross-boundary and concrete. What a wonderful idea! Taking care of the body and engaging the mind! Might I suggest a yoga for Libraries conference? (Source: Tame The Web: Libraries and Technology) Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:02:46 +0100 895254 http://web.docuticker.com/go/docubase/62775 Top Languages Spoken by English Language Learners (ELLs) Nationally and by State (PDF) Source:  Migration Policy Institute The third fact sheet in a series from our ELL Information Center finds that while ELL students nationwide speak more than 150 languages, Spanish far outranks others as the most common first -- or [...] (Source: Docuticker) Mon, 27 Dec 2010 20:56:00 +0100 895245 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pandia/vfbc/~3/3qpfEe2LYmc/3358-7-sites-for-information-on-busnisses-and-organisations.html Whether you are a business owner looking for information on your competition, a consumer wanting to make informed purchases or an information professional or journalist doing research, the call for transparency that has resulted from social media has led to a number of web sites where businesses share their info for free or where customers share their opinions. Here are 10 places to go to find info on all kinds of businesses and organisations. LinkedIn LinkedIn used to be a place to display your business card on-line with the option to add information about your education and past and present jobs. Today, LinkedIn hosts profiles for both businesses and people in addition to groups for discussing all kinds of professional themes. The profiles might also contain information from blogs, presentations from Slideshare and more. Examples: Search Engine Land business profile SEO SEM group Facebook Facebook started out as a web site for freshmen at Harvard to get to know each other. It soon opened to students at other schools and is now open for anyone to join. It is no longer just a place where teenagers share photos from parties. Here in Norway, 50 % of the population has a Facebook profile. This makes the site a great place for businesses to market themselves and for consumers to pool their knowledge. Examples: WikiLeaks’ page Google’s page Wikipedia On LinkedIn and Facebook, the companies themselves write their profiles and can, to a certain extent, control the content. Wikipedia has guidelines that prevent people with close ties to a business from editing the article about that particular company. Examples: British Petroleum Nestlé Youtube Every minute 24 hours of video content is uploaded to YouTube. ... Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:36:51 +0100 895392 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/iRcS/~3/raK7hi7Yp48/scienceeducationgov-usa.html "ScienceEducation.gov (beta version) is the unification of federal science agencies’ science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education content, supporting cyber-learning and open participation. Educators, students, and the public can go to ScienceEducation.gov and conveniently find via a single query and use (for free) the STEM education offerings of several leading science and technology agencies. The content of ScienceEducation.gov is stratified by grade level and includes lesson plans, curricula, classroom activities, homework help and professional development information. At ScienceEducation.gov, over 35,000 web pages of STEM content can be accessed" (Source: Peter Scott's Library Blog) Mon, 27 Dec 2010 10:41:34 +0100 895154 http://ddc.typepad.com/025431/2010/12/happy-retirement-dennis.html Our colleague Dennis McGovern, former chief of the Decimal Classification Division (DCD), is retiring this Thursday. (Longtime readers of the Dewey blog might remember Dennis as “the vicar of Dewey Manor” in the early days of the blog.)  Dennis was appointed to the position of DCD chief on May 17, 2004, after serving as the acting chief of DCD since February 2002, when previous chief David Smith retired.  He stepped down as DCD chief for health reasons in August 2008.  Since that time Dennis has worked a split detail as a Senior Decimal Classification Classifier in the areas of literature, language, sports, and recreation, and as a senior cataloger of romance language material in the Social Science Cataloging Division and the African, Latin American, and Western European Division.  Dennis first joined LC in as an editorial assistant in the Bill Digest Section of the American Law Division, Congressional Research Service.  In August of the same year, he joined the LOIS Processing Section in the former Order Division, Acquisitions Directorate, and April 1984 became a CIP publisher liaison in the Cataloging in Publication Division, while he also studied part time for his master's degree in library science at the University of Maryland.  After completing library school, he became a cataloger at the Martin Luther King Memorial Library in the District of Columbia Public Library system.  Dennis returned to LC as a descriptive cataloger in 1987.  He joined the Education, Sports, and Recreation Team when it was formed in 1989 as part of the Whole Book Cataloging Project.  Dennis came to DCD in 2002 from the position of team leader, Education, Sports and Recreation Team (ESR), Social Sciences Cataloging Division. ... Mon, 27 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895834 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/dTJJL/~3/raK7hi7Yp48/scienceeducationgov-usa.html "ScienceEducation.gov (beta version) is the unification of federal science agencies’ science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education content, supporting cyber-learning and open participation. Educators, students, and the public can go to ScienceEducation.gov and conveniently find via a single query and use (for free) the STEM education offerings of several leading science and technology agencies. The content of ScienceEducation.gov is stratified by grade level and includes lesson plans, curricula, classroom activities, homework help and professional development information. At ScienceEducation.gov, over 35,000 web pages of STEM content can be accessed" (Source: Peter Scott's Library Blog) Mon, 27 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895665 http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.education.web4lib/17247 Hello, I was wondering if any of you have used Boopsie to create mobile apps for your library. If not, are you considering creating a mobile app for your library in the future? If yes, what was your experience like with Boopsie? Antoinette Turner UT Southwestern Medical Library antoinette.turner-8NuUmYHGo9es7h9kiGOq9je48wsgrGvP< at >public.gmane.org ________________________________ UT Southwestern Medical Center The future of medicine, today. (Source: gmane.education.web4lib) Mon, 27 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895301 http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.education.web4lib/17248 Antoinette, I may be biased, because I am the CEO of Boopsie, Inc. However, we have mobilized around 100 libraries (public and academic) this past year with custom apps. Here is a link to some recent customers: http://www.boopsie2.com/libraries_clients.html And here is a link to a press release showing that mobilizing the catalog isn't the only thing you need to do in an application (we work with all major ILS systems), but the key is also to mobilize the other content of the library - which is where most of the use is seen. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/11/prweb4787284.htm We've seen about 10 million queries come thru the mobile apps - so they are clearly being used quite a bit. We're happy to answer any questions. Email libraries-VJQNKLXSQs9BDgjK7y7TUQ< at >public.gmane.org Cheers, Greg On Mon, Dec 27, 2010 at 1:40 PM, Antoinette Turner < Antoinette.Turner-8NuUmYHGo9es7h9kiGOq9je48wsgrGvP< at >public.gmane.org> wrote: (Source: gmane.education.web4lib) Mon, 27 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895300 http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.education.web4lib/17249 I have used Zoho Creator quite successfully for some, but not all, the features you need. We have one user account that is shared by all the librarians, but it is possible to have more than one user. I use it for web forms where several people need to see and edit the data collected--makes a nice looking web app very quickly. I think you have more sophisticated access controls the more you pay. Margaret Heller Web Services Librarian Rebecca Crown Library Dominican University 708-524-6883 -----Original Message----- From: web4lib-bounces-Lfqs8nn97uZKgiwHgTXaBw< at >public.gmane.org on behalf of Cindy Harper Sent: Wed 12/22/2010 2:37 PM To: web4lib Subject: [Web4lib] non-programmer databases in the cloud Hi all - I'm wondering if any of you can point me to sites/hosting services/technologies in the cloud that would allow our librarians, some of whom have FileMaker Pro experience, to create their own databases in the cloud, and (with the help of technical staff) - use some sort of CAS or other aut (Source: gmane.education.web4lib) Mon, 27 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895299 http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.education.web4lib/17250 On Dec 22, 2010, at 2:37 PM, Cindy Harper wrote: You just desribed DabbleDB :-) Until Twitter acquired them I would have recommended DabbleDB http://dabbledb.com/ My recommendation is only tempered by not knowing if they will still be offering this service. A search of "DabbleDB alternatives" on your preferred engine will likely lead you to comparable alternatives. ./fxk -- " ... I told my doctor I got all the exercise I needed being a pallbearer for all my friends who run and do exercises!" -- Winston Churchill (Source: gmane.education.web4lib) Mon, 27 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895298 http://blog.case.edu/bcg8/2010/12/26/kids_publish_in_peer_reviewed_science_journal Biology Letters has published a journal article by 8 to 10-year olds investigating how bumblebees see colors and patterns. Future scientists in action! See the Associated Press article for more information. (Source: e3 Information Overload, E-Resources for Engineering Education) Mon, 27 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895128 http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/dec/27/breaking-trust-over-book-fund As a children's author and mother I was dismayed to learn of the Department for Education's decision to cut all funding to the Booktrust bookgifting programmes in England (In praise of… Booktrust, 23 December). Booktrust has introduced thousands of children to the pleasures and benefits of reading. I have friends who'd never have thought to read with their children were it not for Booktrust. I've met families in our local library who, by their own admission, would never have become regular visitors without Booktrust's initial prompt. Now, libraries aren't exactly high on the government's agenda either – so what exactly are they doing to give ensure that every child has access to books?Bookgifting is one of those rare government-funded schemes that actually works. Booktrust doesn't just give children books; it gives them the power to imagine. It also gives families an enjoyable way to interact – a welcome alternative to toys and television.When busy parents forget storytime, it is understandable. When the government forgets it, it is unforgivable. I can only hope that the funding cut-off date of next April Fools' Day is Michael Gove's idea of a bad joke.Michelle RobinsonBristol• The fact that the government has cut off funding to the Booktrust bookgifting schemes is not only outrageous but will directly affect the viability of early years reading and learning in both children's centres and libraries. It is not simply about giving a load of money to a charity to dole out books. It has been since 1999 a way of libraries, primary care trusts and early educators working together at a local level and parents being empowered with high-quality resources, whether books, library joining incentives, regular visit incentives or giving the chance for health visitors to talk about the importance of literacy alongside health advice. Half of the gift is the message that goes with it. ... Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:05:03 +0100 895144 http://146.74.224.231/archives/2010/12/new_years_resol_1.html The tradition of the New Year's Resolution goes back several thousand years to the Babylonians, when the New Year was celebrated at the beginning of the planting season in March. It was the time for repaying debts and performing good deeds. These days, resolutions are much more varied, such as losing weight, getting a better education, and getting out of debt. Research shows that those who succeed are in the minority, but you can improve your chances of success by setting a realistic, attainable goal. The library has several resources that can help you get healthy, find a job, learn a new language, learn to read or help someone learn to read, and much more. Here's to a healthy, happy 2011! (Source: Santa Clara County Library - The Latest SCCoop) Sun, 26 Dec 2010 23:20:19 +0100 895215 http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/dec/26/free-books-scheme-funding-u-turn Government promises to work with children's charity after decision to axe Booktrust's £13m grant sparks literary outrageThe government has made a partial U-turn over providing free books for children, after the poet laureate accused ministers of behaving like "Scrooge at his worst".Education secretary Michael Gove held hurried consultations with Booktrust, interrupting his Christmas break when the charity released a letter confirming the government was to axe a £13m annual grant for free books that benefit 3.3 million youngsters a year.While the prime minister David Cameron was upbraided by Labour leader Ed Milband for "another mean-minded" removal of funding, in a joint statement, the charity and the education department confirmed that although the £13m grant would not continue as such, ministers would work with Booktrust to help disadvantaged children.The joint statement said: "[We] are determined to ensure that reading for pleasure is a gift every child can enjoy. That is why the DFE will continue to fund Booktrust book-gifting programmes in the future."Although the current contract will end in April, the department is talking to Booktrust about how to develop a new programme which will ensure that every child can enjoy the gift of books at crucial moments in their lives while ensuring we develop an even more effective way of supporting the most disadvantaged families to read together. The department and Booktrust will be working together, with publishers, in order to ensure that we can make every possible saving in developing an enhanced programme."The statement came as Carol Ann Duffy, appointed poet laureate in 2009, joined other authors to attack the cut. The charity provides free books for children from the age of nine months until 11.Duffy said: "Support for Bookstart is support for the dreams and imaginations and futures of British children. To withdraw that support is to behave like Scrooge at his worst. ... Sun, 26 Dec 2010 20:19:31 +0100 895073 http://web.docuticker.com/go/docubase/62899 Transfer and Articulation Policies (PDF) Source:  Education Commission of the States An increase in the number of transfer and articulation policies over the past decade demonstrates that state legislatures and higher education governing boards have recognized the need for such policies. At least two-thirds of states have one or more of [...] (Source: Docuticker) Sun, 26 Dec 2010 16:07:00 +0100 895091 http://outofthejungle.blogspot.com/2010/12/prison-libraries-true-value-lies-beyond.html A very good essay in the Boston Globe Ideas section today by Avi Steinberg, who recently came out with the memoir, Running the Books about his stint as a prison librarian in the Boston area Suffolk County House of Correction. He writes about the periodic, well, probably ongoing, attacks on prison libraries, from well-meaning reformers who fear that the books will undermine the principle of punishment or might encourage prisoners to consider making a break for it or more fruitless appeals. Steinberg writes with excellent detail about the experiences he had as a prison librarian that lead him to the opposite conclusion. In his opinion, the true value of the prison library lies not so much in the reading material, as in the civilizing, educating locus of the place. The prisoners, who learn that the library is a haven that can make them feel like normal people for that short visit, run there when allowed, they are so eager to arrive. Prisoners who are allowed to work as library assistants value the privilege, and take the leadership skills into life after prison. It was more educational that spending time in the recreation yard, and it was less formal than the classrooms. It was a public space, and often the only time these individuals had ever been exposed to a library. They were learning important skills to take with them after they were released, even if they only read glossy magazines. Steinberg's argument is the classic rehabilitation argument, but it is an important one, and he gives some very good details from his time at the Suffolk County House of Correction. Steinberg introduces the reader to Fat Kat, his head of circulation, and unofficial captain of the inmate prison work detail. Fat Kat's name describes both his physical appearance and his boss persona. He was mid-way through his sentence when Steinberg met him. ... Sun, 26 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895153 http://blog.case.edu/bcg8/2010/12/26/free_pinboard_accounts_for_librarians From now until January 1, Pinboard is offering free Pinboard accounts to librarians. Might be an alternative to consider since it was leaked that Delicious will be mothballed by Yahoo. (Source: e3 Information Overload, E-Resources for Engineering Education) Sun, 26 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895129 http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.education.web4lib/17246 Posted on behalf of Greg Williams, <gwilliams-ySO5qXNhEWZYx4ufuVR0v+1ftBKYq+Ku< at >public.gmane.org >. Roy ------------------------------------------------------- Hi all,   I¹m giving a conference presentation on the EPUB ebook format early next year, and I¹m planning to include some discussion of how the EPUB format (both as implemented by the current 2.0.1 specification, and the upcoming EPUB3 specification) might be utilized/leveraged by libraries now and in the future, and what implications the format might have for future library services.  Of course, being neither omniscient nor precognitive, I¹m keen to hear my colleagues¹ thoughts on the subject!   Since EPUB is, at heart, a web-based content format, I¹m posting to this list first (I¹m thinking y¹all likely have some experience with speculating about/innovating with web-based content) .  If you¹ve got ideas for using EPUB (even if it¹s a ³10-years-down-the-road-if-at-all² type of idea), or thoughts on how the format might impact future li (Source: gmane.education.web4lib) Sun, 26 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895121 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/26/20-things-we-learned-in-2010 Observer writers and experts chart the concepts, trends and buzz words that defined the past year and are likely to shape the next one1 The new politics is, in fact, the old politicsNick Clegg will regret many things about 2010. One will be his decision to produce a Lib Dem election poster warning that the Tories would raise VAT. A few weeks later Clegg, installed as deputy prime minister, was backing coalition plans to – yes – raise VAT.Then there was the pre-election pledge to vote against any rise in tuition fees. Six months later Clegg was pushing a policy to triple them.These shifts were damaging not just because they were old-fashioned U-turns but because they fatally undermined the party's raison d'etre – its commitment to deliver a new, honest politics. A vote for the Lib Dems, Clegg had said, would be "a vote that counts".It was all part of his broader attempt to promote the merits of voting reform – the Lib Dems' core policy. Fair votes through proportional representation would mean that everyone's vote would matter and everyone's voice would be heard.Floating the idea of "new politics" and calling for an end to the duopoly of the "old parties" made Clegg more popular than Churchill for a while. But it is dangerous to take the moral high ground in politics.A mid-December poll for the News of the World found 61% of respondents saying that they didn't trust Clegg, compared to 24% in April. In a few months, he had gone from being one of the most trusted politicians to one of the least trusted.To many, the "new politics" had begun to feel very much like old politics – if not rather worse, as angry protests hit the streets and chants rang out about promises broken. Toby Helm2 Kanye West is pop's top innovatorIn 2009, Kanye West had the distinction of being called a "jackass" by the US president, after rudely interrupting an acceptance speech by his fellow performer Taylor Swift at an awards show. ... Sun, 26 Dec 2010 00:07:13 +0100 894991 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/26/literacy-booksforchildrenandteenagers Politicians say they are saddened by children's lack of literacy, and yet they are cutting the book gifting schemeGiven we have cuts in the educational maintenance allowance, housing benefit and myriad other areas of public life, cutting the book gifting scheme may seem irrelevant to many. However, given our politicians' sadness at the poor reading skills of our children, these cuts are very short-sighted.Booktrust, the charity that oversees these schemes (Booked Up, Booktime, Letterbox Club and Bookstart) has a wealth of knowledge and research about how they work and the good they do. The schemes encourage a love of reading from babyhood onwards. That's why so many countries around the world – including Colombia and Uganda – have copied them. We are so used to hearing governments tell us literacy rates are falling, so why, in heaven's name, cut something that is proven to help?The schemes cater for children at every stage – from Bookstart, which offers the very best picture books to babies via health centres, Booktime for four- to five-year-old children when they start school, Letterbox Club, which offers regular parcels of books to looked-after children of all ages, to Booked Up for 11-year-olds.I am an author who has had her work selected for Booked Up, and has taken part in the selection process (in a different year, naturally). To those of us fortunate enough to have children with heaving bookshelves and well-used library tickets, book gifting might seem like a luxury. I expect most Tory – and Liberal Democrat – politicians have never been in a house without books, have never come across children who have not been able to choose books to own rather than just borrow.Booked Up has done amazingly good things for children all over England. It offers 11-year-olds the choice of one of 12 top-quality books to own for free. ... Sun, 26 Dec 2010 00:06:08 +0100 894992 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/26/20-things-we-learned-2010 It was a year in which game-changing developments in social media competed with a new political turf wars over the 'squeezed middle'. Here a team of Observer writers and experts chart the concepts, trends and buzzwords that defined the last year and are likely to shape the next one1 The new politics is, in fact, the old politicsNick Clegg will regret many things about 2010. One will be his decision to produce a Lib Dem election poster warning that the Tories would raise VAT. A few weeks later Clegg, installed as deputy prime minister, was backing coalition plans to – yes – raise VAT.Then there was the pre-election pledge to vote against any rise in tuition fees. Six months later Clegg was pushing a policy to triple them.These shifts were damaging not just because they were old-fashioned U-turns but because they fatally undermined the party's raison d'etre – its commitment to deliver a new, honest politics. A vote for the Lib Dems, Clegg had said, would be "a vote that counts".It was all part of his broader attempt to promote the merits of voting reform – the Lib Dems' core policy. Fair votes through proportional representation would mean that everyone's vote would matter and everyone's voice would be heard.Floating the idea of "new politics" and calling for an end to the duopoly of the "old parties" made Clegg more popular than Churchill for a while. But it is dangerous to take the moral high ground in politics.A mid-December poll for the News of the World found 61% of respondents saying that they didn't trust Clegg, compared to 24% in April. In a few months, he had gone from being one of the most trusted politicians to one of the least trusted.To many, the "new politics" had begun to feel very much like old politics – if not rather worse, as angry protests hit the streets and chants rang out about promises broken. ... Sun, 26 Dec 2010 00:05:53 +0100 894994 http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/dec/25/booktrust-funding-cut-reading Parents praise the work of the literacy charity, which will now lose its £13m government grantDanni Grady, a dentist from Poole in Dorset, had never heard of the Booktrust programmes until she had her first child, Grace, now four. "But when we were given the books I thought, 'what a great idea'," she says. "It was a lovely surprise. It's extremely sad to think it is going to disappear."Usually, new parents receive the first tranche of books – the Bookstart baby packs – before their child's first birthday. A second allocation encourages parents to read aloud with their children after they start school while a third programme, Booked Up, aims to give a free book to every child starting secondary school in England.Grady, who is married to a physiotherapist and now has a second daughter, Olivia, two, acknowledges that some people may question why middle-class parents need books subsidised by the taxpayer. But she insists the value of the programme lies not in saving parents the small amount they would otherwise have had to spend. "It's not necessarily about the books themselves; it's the encouragement you need to read to your children which I don't think comes naturally if you're not a big book reader yourself. That encouragement you can get from receiving just a few books is great."Reading to children, Grady argues, is one of the joys of parenthood. "From a selfish point of view I enjoy it. It's good fun. They get a lot out of it. It is exciting when you see their language skills developing. I know with my older girl that before she could say anything her understanding of what was what was great, just from looking at books together and saying, 'point to this or that', and she would do it."Grady argues that books can be a vital weapon in the war with the television. "One of the issues we face nowadays is the battle with the TV, which is always on. ... Sat, 25 Dec 2010 19:14:41 +0100 895004 http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/dec/26/booktrust-funding-cut-pullman-motion Philip Pullman and Sir Andrew Motion round on decision to slash £13m government grant to the Booktrust charityLeading writers today rounded on the government for its "repugnant, foolish and pointlessly destructive" decision to axe all funding for a free book scheme that benefits 3.3 million youngsters a year.Children's author Philip Pullman attacked the move as an "unforgivable disgrace", while the former poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion described the cut as "an act of gross cultural vandalism".These uncompromising views were echoed by Viv Bird, chief executive of the Booktrust charity, who said she was "astounded and appalled" when told all government support for their work was going to be scrapped. "There was no dialogue. It was completely devastating," she said.The Booktrust charity runs several programmes that together provide free books for children from the age of nine months until their first term of secondary school when they are 11, and is widely admired by teachers, parents and authors.They began as a pilot project in 1992 but were awarded government funding in 2004 to become universal. But 10 days ago – despite having previously offered to take a 20% funding cut – the charity was told it was to lose 100% of its £13m-a-year government grant.The literary world has reacted with horror and has begun a campaign that has echoes of the one launched against the decision of the education secretary, Michael Gove, to axe funding for school sport, a plan revealed in the Observer. In fact, the decision to end Booktrust's funding is thought to have been taken to finance the education secretary's eventual U-turn on sport, which saw much of the threatened £162m cash for school sport partnerships restored.The reaction by authors to Gove's latest move has been furious. "It's like seeing someone smashing aside a butterfly with the back of their hand: wanton destruction," said Pullman. ... Sat, 25 Dec 2010 19:08:02 +0100 895005 http://web.resourceshelf.com/go/resourceblog/62894 Compiled and Designed by Digital Surgeons (and SEO Firm) Direct to Infographic Categories of Demographic Info Include: Gender Income Level Age Education Plus Several Direct Comparisons Including: Number of People Aware of Facebook vs Twitter (88% vs. 87%) Percentage of Users Who Login Daily (41% vs. 27%) Located Outside the [...] (Source: ResourceShelf) Sat, 25 Dec 2010 18:54:00 +0100 894972 http://web.docuticker.com/go/docubase/62601 British Social Attitudes 27th Report: Our Findings Source: National Centre for Social Research (UK) There is high and growing concern about income inequality, with the public expecting Government to address this by shaping the opportunities available to people, raising the National Minimum Wage or even redistributing wealth. More people think they have been upwardly mobile than [...] (Source: Docuticker) Sat, 25 Dec 2010 11:52:00 +0100 894967 http://www.slaw.ca/2010/12/24/christmas-in-1594/ The law student of 1594 passed Christmas revelling to The Comedy of Errors by Shakespeare. We know this because of the Gesta Grayorum which was printed in 1688 from a much older manuscript. This text has been conveniently reproduced with an introduction on the Mr. Shakespeare blog. We can also look forward to a 3 volume set, part of the Records of Early English Drama series, to be published in January 2011 by Boydell & Brewer: Inns of Court, edited by Alan H. Nelson and John R. Elliott, Jr. According to the publisher’s blurb: The Introduction provides a survey of Christmas entertainment supervised by Inns of Court Masters of the Revels and Christmas Princes, including minstrels, a lion-tamer, musicians, disguisings, plays, masques, and even a puppet-show. The illustrations (ground-plans and plates) offer evidence of the original performance conditions for Inns of Court plays and masques. The appendices will reproduce a number of relevant documents. A brief account of the Grand Christmases celebrated at the Inns of Court can be found in Anton-Hermann Chroust, in "The Beginning, Flourishing and Decline of the Inns of Court: The Consolidation of the English Legal Profession after 1400" (1956) 10 Vand. L. Rev. 79-123 (Hein), at 102-3: The fact that the Inns of Court were also schools of manners should explain the original meaning and functions of those periodic entertainments "which are called revels," and which for a long time played an important role in the lives of the Inns. These pastimes apparently were encouraged by the Benchers who believed that such activities would greatly improve the literary tastes and the social manners of the students.²⁸ Revels and masques were usually held at Christmas time or some other feast day, and the King as well as the Queen attended them regularly. ... Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:39:19 +0100 895179 http://www.teleread.com/library/clir-announces-hidden-collection-awards/ CLIR Announces Hidden Collections Awards Created in 2008 with funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives awards program supports the identification and cataloging of special collections and archives of high scholarly value that are difficult or impossible to locate. Award recipients create Web-accessible records according to standards that enable the federation of their local cataloging entries into larger groups of related records, enabling the broadest possible exposure to the scholarly community. Washington, DC, Dec. 21, 2010—The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) today announced the following recipients of the 2010 Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives awards: American Museum of Natural History Library For the People, for Education, for Science: Web Access to the American Museum of Natural History Archives $117,600 Arizona State University LibrariesLabor Rights are Civil Rights/Los Derechos de Trabajo Son Derechos Civiles$155,600 Eleutherian Mill-Hagley Foundation, Inc. on behalf of the Hagley Museum and LibraryZ. Taylor Vinson Transportation Collection Processing Project$246,100 J. Paul Getty Trust on behalf of the Getty Research InstituteOpen Plan, Open Access: Increasing Researcher Access to Modern Architectural Records$154,600 Northeast Historic FilmMoving Images 1938-1940: Amateur Filmmakers Record the New York World’s Fair and Its Period$186,900 San Diego Historical SocietyEnhancing Access to the History of San Diego and the Border Region$162,100 Smithsonian Institution, on behalf of the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. ... Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:18:06 +0100 894825 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/infoesfera/~3/H-PH661eMFA/hasta-cuanto-estoy-dispuesto-pagar.html No es difícil oirle a Jesús Tramullas frases del tipo: “los usuarios "desaforados" de la 2.0 deberían reflexionar sobre sus planteamientos estratégicos...”, que recientemente encontramos en Iwetel a raíz del debate sobre el anunciado cierre de Delicious. Tramullas nos ha regalado ya con varias frases de este tipo, estamos acostumbrados, pero fue tras una conversación con mi amigo Fernándo Juarez y sobre todo tras una frase suya (tweet) en una reciente conferencia virtual, cuando me pareció que debía reflexionar algo más sobre estos temas y si me atrevía, lo haría en alto. Metáfora pesquera de @ferjur: "Facebook es una gran red que está esquilmando el fondo marino"less than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®Enzo AbbagliaticadaunanteEn relación al cierre anunciado de delicious, que aún está por ver, creo que debemos plantearnos las siguientes cuestiones: Estamos en una época de cambios, o quizás mejor en un cambio de época. Un denominador común a todo esto que vivimos es el siempre Beta, ya lo argumentaron en el debate sobre delicious en Iwetel y se nos olvida con bastante frecuencia. Permanente beta significa adaptación continua, flexibilidad, perderle el cariño a lo seguro por definición.No es el primer producto que, de confirmarse su desaparición, nos obliga a una migración:  yo soy usuaria de Microsoft Money desde hace más de 13 años, y en enero de 2011 deja de mantenerse, o tuve que hacer la migración a Innopac/Millennium cuando Dobis Libis, nuestro SIGB dejó también de actualizarse a comienzos de este siglo. Además, la biblioteca invierte sus recursos en proyectos que no siempre salen, muchas veces porque dependen de terceros,  pero el riesgo hay que correrlo, la seguridad del éxito no la garantiza nadie. ... Fri, 24 Dec 2010 13:44:00 +0100 894849 http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/dec/24/government-against-reading The withdrawal of funding from Booktrust's free books programmes recklessly ignores the all-round educational benefits of booksThe government has just cut all funding of the free book projects administered by Booktrust – the independent charity that provided millions of children with free books.People will remember Michael Gove speaking at the most recent Conservative Party conference calling on schools to be places where children read great authors, such as Dryden and Pope. Though some of us were a little mystified as to why he had plucked those two particular authors from the pile, I for one thought for half a moment that perhaps this government was going to set out its stall as a champion of the reading of literature. As the Guardian recorded, I tried on several occasions to interest first Ed Balls and Jim Knight, then Vernon Coaker in the idea of the Education department asking schools to develop their own policies on reading for pleasure.Reading for pleasure can easily sound like some kind of wishy-washy, soft option, while instructional stuff like learning-to-read through "synthetic phonics" and endless worksheets requiring children to answer questions about the facts in short passages, sounds tough and purposeful. In actual fact, as the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) research of 2006 showed, children who read for pleasure achieve better school performance than those that don't.How come? Because literature takes children into abstract thought in two key ways. Firstly, it marries ideas with feelings: while the reader is caring about what happens, the scenes and the flow of the book deal with ideas of, say, anger, fear, jealousy, justice, compassion and much, much more. Secondly, it gives rise to what we can call "acts of comparison". Any child who reads widely, often and for pleasure will inevitably make comparisons between what they're reading, why they're reading and how they're reading. ... Fri, 24 Dec 2010 12:23:59 +0100 894798 http://www.cilip.org.uk/get-involved/campaigning-toolkit/guide/organising-your-campaign/Pages/actionplan.aspx Draw up an Action Plan to help you use your resources more effectively: Identify available budgets or sponsorship that could be used for the campaign. Appoint a co-ordinator and assign tasks. Get the whole library “community” involved—all staff, colleagues and friends. Make sure everyone understands the rationale and has an opportunity to give input. Be enthusiastic and positive and let those you are seeking to involve know they can help make a difference. Talk about customers’ needs—not the needs of the library and information service. Focus on their needs and how you and your library and information service needs to address them. Break tasks into bite-sized pieces. For those who want to help make a difference and only have a small amount of time, have a “to do” list to choose from, such as attending one meeting, writing a letter to the Editor of your local paper or making one phone call to a key official. Build a database of supporters, with names, addresses, telephone, numbers and e-mail addresses and keep them informed of both successes and setbacks. Support your supporters by providing message sheets, tips and other materials to help them speak out. Reach out to influential people in the community. Meet with key leaders and officials to educate them about professional and library service concerns and invite their support. Distribute campaign information both inside and outside your library and information service - wherever people are likely to see and read it. Finally, thank and recognise your supporters at every opportunity! (Source: CILIP – Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) Fri, 24 Dec 2010 11:19:25 +0100 895288 http://www.cilip.org.uk/jobs-careers/qualifications/Pages/assistants.aspx CILIP offers its Seal of Recognition to bodies offering training and development. To see the organizations that have been awarded the Seal click here.While some of the following courses are best suited to library assistants they may prove useful at any stage of your career and contribute towards the portfolios needed for CILIP's own professional awards: Certification , Chartership and Revalidation .British Computer Society European Computer Driving Licence Tel: 01793 417530 email: qualifications@hq.bcs.org.uk web:www.bcs.org.uk/qualifications  CILIPCertification is a portfolio based qualification recognizing learning, training and experience which also offers a route to Chartership. Tel: 020 7255 0610 email: quals@cilip.org.uk CILIP Training and developmentShort courses for all levels of library work including assistant roles. Tel: 020 7255 0560 email: training@cilip.org.uk   Education Development International EDI has developed two brand new qualifications for the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), in partnership with Lifelong Learning UK and key industry stakeholders. These are aimed at assistants working in libraries, archives and information services:     §  Level 2 Certificate in Libraries, Archives and Information Services (30 credits)  §  Level 3 Diploma in Libraries, Archives and Information Services (45 credits) The qualifications have replaced the existing NVQs from 1 August 2010 and have been updated to reflect the diverse range of skills currently required of those operating in libraries, archives and information services settings.   The qualifications will be available to training providers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information please contact enquiries@ediplc.com, call 08707 202 909 or visit www.ediplc.com Open UniversityTU120 Beyond Google: an online course that runs over 10 weeks. 0845 300 60 90www.openuniversity.co.uk/tu120 general-enquiries@open.ac. ... Fri, 24 Dec 2010 11:13:23 +0100 895291 http://keptup.typepad.com/academic/2010/12/cornells-president-offers-ideas-for-how-to-control-college-costs.html The long, contentious, and often self-interested debate on whether higher education is becoming too expensive has become even more strident since the Great Recession. Is there really a "crisis" in college costs? Are colleges to blame? So what can be done to control college costs? The recession we are experiencing is not a normal, cyclical "blip" on an ever-upward revenue curve. It is unlike anything that most of us have ever experienced, and it will be with us for some time. Consequently, we in higher education have to make some fundamental changes in the way we do business. Read more at: (Source: The Kept-Up Academic Librarian) Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894811 http://keptup.typepad.com/academic/2010/12/quality-uk-ihes-at-affordable-tuition-cost-attracts-us-students.html The population of US undergraduates at United Kingdom schools has spiked 30 percent in five years, to 3,560 in the 2008-09 academic year, the most recent figure available from Britain’s Higher Education Statistics Agency. It is a trend driven by price, prestige, and — in the case of St. Andrews — a prince. The small community of collegiate expatriates is populated heavily with students from the New York-Washington corridor and California, British higher education officials say. Read more at: (Source: The Kept-Up Academic Librarian) Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894808 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/booksquare/~3/3cksAY7pETg/ No matter where you stand on the various issues surrounding the future of publishing, one thing is clear: without readers, what we do doesn’t matter very much. We sometimes take the privilege of our bookish lives for granted, forgetting how many people out there would give anything to be able to pick up a book and read it. Yet, this is the season of giving (and, yes, tax deductions). Every year, we here at Booksquare make a pitch for our favorite causes, hoping some of you, like us, will find a little something extra to give this now and in the future. If you have a favorite cause that relates to literacy, reading, or education, let us know in the comments. ProLiteracy — As always, our list is topped by Proliteracy.org. You can contribute either financially or by volunteering as a literacy tutor. When you are a reader, a to-your-soul reader, it’s almost impossible to imagine a world where people can’t read. The reasons vary, and the solution is not simple. Helping others learn to read should be the primary goal of the publishing industry — any way we can. If you can’t donate money, can you donate time? First Book — Just as teaching the world to read is important, getting books to children is essential. First Book gets books to children who need them. You remember your first book, you remember reading as a child. Help share that joy. Bonus! through December 31, your donation will be matched book-for-book by Random House. Girls Write Now: Girls Write Now is a non-profit organization devoted to mentoring the next generation of women writers. Focused on New York’s underserved and at-risk high school girls, this program helps them find their voices through creative writing. Donors Choose — The problem with growing up the child of a public school librarian is that you know how completely screwed up our public school financing priorities are. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 20:22:00 +0100 894713 http://careercenter.sla.org/jobs/3823199/edward-cornell-law-librarian US - NY - Ithaca, Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and work successfully with a team of staff within a Law School setting. Excellent communication skills, compelling vision, and the ability to foster effective w (Source: SLA Career Center Search Results []) Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:37:00 +0100 894736 http://nnlm.gov/pnr/dragonfly/2010/12/23/hxofmednewprojects/ The National Library of Medicine’s History of Medicine Division recently announced the following new projects: Completion of a project to catalog Imperial Russian Era Holdings.  Pre-1917 collection includes pamphlets and dissertations on a spectrum of medical topics, including some by future Nobel Laureates – http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/russian_holdings_cataloged.html Medical history comes to life through first person accounts in the National Library of Medicine’s Oral History Collections.  The new web interface allows easier searching of text and audio content – http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/oralhistory.html New education resources added to Online Exhibition, “Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature” – http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/frankenstein_enriched.html And, don’t forget: If you have a collection of unique historical health sciences materials, we would appreciate your filling out our survey – http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N3QKT67. To learn more about the background of the survey, read the previous Dragonfly post. (Source: Dragonfly) Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:17:14 +0100 895379 http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/dec/23/john-jones-obituary Painter, film-maker and teacher who inspired his studentsJohn Jones, who has died aged 84, was a painter, film-maker, teacher, Joyce scholar and magic-lantern expert. Unusually for a senior lecturer who could have talked for Britain, he was never one to trumpet the true scope of his knowledge and interests. The fine art department at Leeds University, where he spent most of his teaching career, was a peculiar hybrid – part art history and part practical art, disdained by some, but loved by many – that John in his own practice and by his own example almost came to embody. He was in overall charge of studio instruction, but was closely involved in most aspects of the department, where he created and ran a course in the history of film and taught film-making.John was born in Bristol. His studies at the city's West of England College of Art were interrupted by call-up in 1945, and he served for three years in the Royal Engineers. He completed his studies in 1952, then spent two years under the tutelage of William Coldstream at the Slade school of art in London, where he won the history of art prize. He also met the Argentinian niece of the art historian Rudolf Witkower, Gabriela, later accompanying her to Buenos Aires in 1956, where they married and where John spent three years painting, teaching and lecturing. Returning to the UK, he was appointed lecturer at James Graham College, Leeds, and in 1962 was appointed lecturer at the Leeds University fine art department by Quentin Bell.Life drawing was central to John's work. He thought deeply, not only about the way we draw, but about why we draw. Talking about art was as vital as art itself, so life classes under him tended to be very conversational as well as observational affairs. He was a highly accomplished draughtsman, always ready to share his skills, and had an unusual willingness to listen to his students. John never imposed his opinions. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:05:04 +0100 894728 http://joblist.ala.org/modules/jobseeker/controller.cfm?rssjobid=16296 Web Services & Emerging Technologies Librarian (Albion College, Michigan) Web Services & Emerging Technologies Librarian at Albion College.  User-friendly, highly skilled professional to provide leadership and share responsibility for planning, implementing, and maintaining the Library website and other digital systems and services for information retrieval.  Overall responsibility for the installation, maintenance, and enhancement of the library’s integrated library system which functions as a shared system with the Albion District Library. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:10:02 +0100 894617 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/23/booktrust-literacy-government In order to save just £13m, the government is denying the power and the pleasure of literacy to children from all backgroundsAt this stage in the cuts, no one can expect much in the way of compassion from the government. All the same, it takes a distinguished brand of heartlessness to pick Christmas as the moment to announce that the Department for Education will be cutting all its funding for the book-giving programmes run by Booktrust. In a couple of days, children will be unwrapping thoughtfully chosen picture books and paperbacks given by friends and family, but right now the government is crippling a charity that has done great work to bring the power and the pleasure of literacy to children from all backgrounds. Ed Miliband was right to accuse the government of knowing "the price of everything and the value of nothing" when it cut the funding for the scheme.Bookstart (aimed at preschoolers), Booked Up (which lets children of secondary school age choose a free book) and Booktime (a complementary scheme to encourage parents and children to read together) are all funded by a combination of public and private money: with the £13m Booktrust receives from the government, it's able to generate another £56m value in funding from partners in the publishing industry (figures supplied by Booktrust). That's more than a 400% return on investment, which ought to look like good value to anyone – but not the government of brave new austerity Britain. "In these difficult economic times, ministers have to take tough decisions on spending," drones the brief statement from the DfE.It's a wearying repetition of the cuts vocabulary that suggests that whoever is in charge of departmental communications could do with receiving a book, just so they've got some literary influences apart from the collected speeches of David Cameron. But Bookstart and its fellows have done much more than just draw down cash. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:00:01 +0100 894731 http://www.slaw.ca/2010/12/23/csst-services-and-website-available-only-in-french/ Since April 2010, the Office québécois de la langue française required that all communications between the Commission de la Santé et de la Sécurité du Travail du Québec (CSST, Quebec’s workplace health and safety board) and employers, suppliers and partners take place in French only, to comply with the Charter of the French Language. However, if the head office of those parties is located outside Quebec, they may be served in English. Conversely, this requirement does not apply to CSST communication with employees. They can be served in English especially if it is in regards to their rights and obligations. Word for word, this is the CSST’s new Language Policy: As a Québec government agency, the CSST is required to comply with the rules of the Office québécois de la langue française. To do so, CSST employees must abide by the following general principles in their communication with English-speaking workers, employers, suppliers and partners: Workers may have access to CSST services in English, in particular for all matters regarding their rights and obligations. French is the language of work in Québec. All communication with employers, suppliers and partners must be in French only. However, an enterprise that does not have an establishment in Québec or whose head office is located outside Québec may ask the CSST to provide its communications in English. To find out more, consult the Charter of the French Language. The CSST is willing to receive complaints from employees in English, yet they are not willing to serve the employers in English. “The message is the language of business and commerce here in Quebec is French, and the public services will use French,” said Office de la langue française spokesperson Martin Bergeron. But this message and policy do not apply just to the CSST. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:30:52 +0100 895184 http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/dec/23/ed-miliband-attacks-government-over-scrapping-booktrust Bookstart scheme gives free books to parents of newborn babiesEd Miliband today accused the government knowing "the price of everything and the value of nothing" as he rounded on ministers for pulling the funding for a scheme that gives free books to parents of newborn babies to encourage a love of reading.The Labour leader said the decision to withdraw all funding from Booktrust, an independent charity which provides book packs for newborns and toddlers through health centres, nurseries and libraries, would deprive young children of an early opportunity to engage in reading.Booktrust was told last Friday that the Department for Education was withdrawing all of its £13m funding for the scheme in England from April. The government's £13m was used to generate a further £56m worth of sponsorship for the book-gifting schemes from publishing partners and corporate sponsors.The programme is backed by the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.The charity's national book-gifting programmes are well-known and wide-reaching. Bookstart gives a free pack of books to every baby in the UK, Booktime donates a book pack to children shortly after they start school, and Booked Up enables each child starting secondary school to choose a book for themselves. The charity's aim is to give everyone the chance to experience what it calls "the delight and power of books and the written word" regardless of income, literacy skills, disability or culture.Miliband said that the book-gifting programme was one of the Labour initiatives that gave him most pride.He rounded on Liberal Democrat ministers for lacking the "courage of their convictions". "The Lib Dem party has pressed the case for giving the poorest children a better start in life," the Labour leader said. "This Conservative-led government knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:49:27 +0100 894607 http://medinfo.netbib.de/archives/2010/12/23/3836 Eike HENTSCHEL und Anja KAISER: alles – einfach – sofort: Service in Medizinbibliotheken: Jahrestagung der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Medizinisches Bibliothekswesen (AGMB) e.V. vom 27. bis 29.9.2010 in Mainz Zusammenfassung: Vom 27.–29.9.2010 fand an der Universität Mainz die Jahrestagung der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Medizinisches Bibliothekswesen (AGMB e.V.) statt. Auf der zentralen Fortbildungsveranstaltung für das medizinische Bibliothekswesen in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz konnten sich die Teilnehmer unter anderem über folgende Themen informieren: Zunehmende Digitalisierung der wissenschaftlichen Kommunikation und deren Auswirkungen, innovative Services in Hybridbibliotheken (Virtuelle Lehrbuchsammlung und E-Books On-Demand), Ausbildung (Weiterbildungs-Masterstudiengang Informations- und Wissensmanagement in Hannover), Neubau der Fachbibliothek Medizin O.A.S.E. an der Universität Düsseldorf, Qualitätsmanagement nach ISO 9001, subito (neue Dienste auf der Basis von § 52a+b UrhG), Zukunft der Nationallizenzen und Allianz-Initiative der deutschen Wissenschaftsorganisationen, Informationskompetenz am Beispiel von Blended-Learning, Public Relation sowie neue Kommunikations- und Servicestrategien, Zukunftskonzepte für Medizinbibliotheken, Dienstleistungen der Bibliothek an einem Forschungsinstitut in Großbritannien, Literaturverwaltung, Web 2.0 und andere Emerging Technologies, BibNet.org, Cochrane Library, MedPilot, PubMed. In einer begleitenden Firmenausstellung präsentierten alle für medizinische Bibliotheken wichtigen Verlage und Dienstleister neue Produkte und Services. Schlüsselwörter: Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Medizinisches Bibliothekswesen (AGMB e.V.), Jahrestagung 2010 in Mainz, Fortbildung Eike HENTSCHEL & Anja KAISER: all – simply – immediately: service in medical libraries: Annual Meeting 2010 of “Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Medizinisches Bibliothekswesen” (AGMB e.V. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:00:48 +0100 895377 http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-post-2010-basics.html We have almost made it to the end of 2010, and we have made it to the holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, Festivus, or some other holiday (or you just enjoy having time off at this time of year), may you have a peaceful and safe time. As I have done in previous years (here is the one from last year if interested), here is my small gift to my three readers where I go around and collect interesting, amusing, or just miscellaneous things that may be of interest this holiday season.Once again, I have enough for a series of posts. So, we will start today with The Basics. I will also make a post for readers and another one for humor and lists. So, stay tuned this week.  The BasicsOne of my favorite links this season is NORAD's Santa Tracker. For years now, we enjoy keeping track of Santa as he makes his way around the world. This never fails to make me smile. Apparently, they now even offer options to track Santa on your mobile phone (please, just don't do it while you are driving). I can always count on the U.S. Census Bureau to put together a set of facts and figures about the holiday season. Here is their 2010 Holiday Season fact sheet. And wow, PNC Financial Services is still doing their annual calculation of the Christmas Price Index. This year marks their 27th year doing it, and I always find it very entertaining. Here is the 2010 edition. Small note: the site does have an auto-play this year, so you may want to adjust volume accordingly. It does have a very interactive element I think kids will enjoy (as well as kids at heart). You want to be safe this holiday season. From GovGab, here are some fire safety tips for your home. GovGab also offers some tips and advice on "Drinking and Driving During the Holidays." The idea here is to be safe and responsible when you drink during the holidays. A drink here and there is a very traditional thing to do (if you choose to consume alcohol. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 895486 http://ramblinglibrarian.blogspot.com/2010/12/virtual-worlds-for-kids-research.html Bernadette, aka hvxsilverstar, alerted the Librarians-In-Singapore list members to a special "Virtual Worlds for Kids" issue of the Journal of Virtual Worlds Research on "Virtual Worlds for Kids". The accompanying note from the Editor-In-Chief: "... We hope this volume of scholarship will provide much needed insight into the ever increasing use of virtual worlds by kids (3-14 years old), which represents a significantly larger market share than virtual worlds use by adults."Incidentally, the journal is licensed under a CC-BY-NC-ND license.The issue's guest editors were Dr. Sun Sun Lim (National University of Singapore) and Dr. Lynn Schofield Clark (University of Denver).THINK-ALOUDI thought the journal articles was timely, in light of recent articles I read about kids and teens not taking to twitter and blogs. The peer-reviewed articles contains lots of thinking points in the context of libraries.For instance, in Diana Burley's "Penguin Life: A Case Study of One Tween’s Experiences inside Club Penguin", this para on page 12 caught my eye:"Penguin life has been interesting. It has presented a dynamic backdrop for the exploration of how personal, behavioral and environmental factors have influenced the development of my tween daughter’s social identity, and of how the platform of Club Penguin makes it easy to experiment with identification, and more challenging to read social cues that relate to those identifications."And also, page 11:"Racial identification similarly changes, so that young people are challenged to see that race may not be solely related to appearance but may also be related to one’s choices and particularly to the affiliations one chooses. In Club Penguin, race as manifested through the penguin body color is a seen as a legitimate reason for gathering and for exclusion. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894975 http://kidslit.menashalibrary.org/2010/12/23/yasmins-hammer-poetic-and-important/ Yasmin’s Hammer by Ann Malaspina, illustrated by Doug Chayka In Dhaka, Bangladesh, Yasmin rides to work in the morning in her father’s rickshaw.  Though Yasmin longs to go to school, she has to help earn money so that her family can eat and her father can someday purchase the rickshaw.  Yasmin thinks about the quiet days in her village before the cyclone forced them to move to the noise and bustle of the city.  Now she must work breaking bricks for use in building roads and buildings.   Even Yasmin’s little sister must work in the brickyard so the family can survive.  Yasmin comes up with a plan of how she can both help her family and make sure that she can be educated too.  Each day she works harder and faster than anyone else, and the boss gives her extra coins.  These she saves for her secret plan that no one in her family knows about. Sprinkled with Bangladeshi words, Malaspina’s text is poetic and strong.  She captures the city and the country in tangible ways, through colors, sounds and smells.  This is a book about child labor, though it is not overly dramatic.  It is a quiet story of desperation in the face of poverty.  The focus is on the importance of education for children and the struggles that a family must overcome to offer it.  Chayka’s illustrations are filled with warm light.  They capture the hustle of the city streets, nicely contrasting it with the quiet of the countryside.  Bright colors, enliven his paintings that invite readers into this story. This is an important book that offers a glimpse of children living in very different circumstances than we see in our part of the world.  It is one that will spur discussions and also have children realizing how well off they are to not have to work and to be able to go to school.  Appropriate for ages 5-8. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894747 http://blog.njla.org/archives/2010/12/#001037 http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org By Leonard Kniffel A gift from American Libraries magazine of one dozen ideals toward which libraries strive. 12/21/2010 Americans love their libraries, and advances in technology have multiplied the ways in which libraries enrich the quality of life in their communities. Whether they are in an elementary school or a university, a museum or a corporation, public or private, our nation’s libraries offer a lifetime of learning. To library supporters everywhere—Friends, trustees, board members, patrons, and volunteers—American Libraries magazine offers this gift of 12 ideals toward which librarians strive as they provide comprehensive access to the record of human existence. It will take all of us, in a spirit of pride and freedom, to maintain libraries as a living reality in a free nation through the 21st century. 1. Libraries sustain democracy. Libraries provide access to information and multiple points of view so that people can make knowledgeable decisions on public policy throughout their lives. With their collections, programs, and professional expertise, librarians help their patrons identify accurate and authoritative data and use information resources wisely to stay informed. The public library is the only institution in American society whose purpose is to guard against the tyrannies of ignorance and conformity. 2. Libraries break down boundaries. Libraries of various kinds offer services and programs for people at all literacy levels, readers with little or no English skills, preschoolers, students, homebound senior citizens, prisoners, homeless or impoverished individuals, and persons with physical or learning disabilities. Libraries rid us of fences that obstruct our vision and our ability to communicate and to educate ourselves. 3. Libraries level the playing field. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894703 http://keptup.typepad.com/academic/2010/12/malaysia-plans-educity-as-a-world-recognized-hub-of-higher-education.html At the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula, just across a strait from Singapore and in the middle of a new metropolis rising from the flat, green landscape, workers are constructing what officials hope will be a hub for higher education. EduCity is spread over 123 hectares, or 305 acres. It will be the base for at least seven institutions of higher learning. The purpose of EduCity is to offer world-class universities. Read more at: (Source: The Kept-Up Academic Librarian) Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894655 http://keptup.typepad.com/academic/2010/12/muslim-students-at-catholic-colleges-creates-some-cultural-conflict.html In the past few years, enrollment of Muslim students such as Shabnan has spiked at Catholic campuses across the country. Last year, Catholic colleges had an even higher percentage of Muslim students than the average four-year institution in the United States, according to the Higher Education Research Institute. The influx has astonished and sometimes befuddled administrators. Some Catholic campuses are creating prayer rooms for new Muslim students and hiring Islamic chaplains to minister to them. Others are unsure how to adapt. Muslim students say they enroll at Catholic schools for many of the same reasons as their classmates: attractive campuses, appealing professors and academic programs that fit their interests. But there is also a spiritual attraction to the values that overlap the two faiths. Read more at: (Source: The Kept-Up Academic Librarian) Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894654 http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.education.web4lib/17243 Morning All, Anyone have any information on open access wireless and wireless access at univerisites? thank you in advance and have a safe and fun holiday season janette (Source: gmane.education.web4lib) Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894577 http://joblist.ala.org/modules/jobseeker/controller.cfm?rssjobid=16300 Assistant Director of Residential Life (University of Illinois, Illinois) Focus: Academic Programs Undergraduate Residence Halls, Department of Residential Life, University Housing Our staff makes our halls a home. We, the staff of the Department of Residential Life, have a vision for our work, "Learning, Growing, Mattering: for every person, on every floor, in every community." The Assistant Director for Academic Programs directly supervises the staff of our eight (8) Living Learning Communities as well as our Residence Hall Library System. ... Thu, 23 Dec 2010 02:10:01 +0100 894473 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/iRcS/~3/XMfQxAsDUVI/look-here-project-conference-uk.html Look-Here! Project Conference - 8 February 2011 - London, UK - This event is organised by the Visual Arts Data Service (VADS) to celebrate the work of the JISC-funded Look-Here! Project, which is working collaboratively to develop skills and strategies for digitisation in the arts education sector. The conference will include a keynote from JISC and presentations from the project partners including: the Visual Arts Data Service, Knitting Collections at University of Southampton, Libraries at University for the Creative Arts and University College Falmouth, Archives and Special Collections at University of the Arts London, Design Archives at University of Brighton, and Museum of Design in Plastics at Arts University College Bournemouth (Source: Peter Scott's Library Blog) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 22:39:28 +0100 894491 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/iRcS/~3/b0_rcvrneME/100-cut-to-english-book-gifting.html The U.K. Department for Education has announced that funding for all the Booktrust's English book gifting programmes will be cut by 100% from 1 April 2011. Programmes include Bookstart, Booktime and Booked Up (Source: Peter Scott's Library Blog) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 22:34:01 +0100 894492 http://nnlm.gov/mcr/news_blog/2010/12/thinking-like-an-mba-register-now-for-online-class-beginning-jan-17-2011/ The roles of library personnel are changing everyday – business practices are becoming the norm. Are you ready? Are you thinking as your administration may be thinking? Are you running projects using project management processes? And what of those methodologies can be applied to operating your library? This free online asynchronous class addresses the three basic components of Project Management – Time, Money and Resources (people). These can be used to demonstrate value, analyze and evaluate personnel and expenditures, and addresss Change Management. Register at:  http://tinyurl.com/mcrclasses . Class is limited to 20 people. Class starts Jan. 17, 2011 and ends, Feb. 11, 2011. Upon completion of class, participants will receive 4 MLA CE credits. Instructor: Marty Magee (mm) (Source: Midcontinental Region News) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:13:40 +0100 894480 http://nnlm.gov/mcr/news_blog/2010/12/education-presentation-on-cochrane-colloquium-jan-11th-9-am-mt-10-am-ct/ Lilian Hoffecker will be recapping her experience at the Cochrane Colloquium, an annual international conference of the Cochrane Collaboration, held this past October in Keystone, Colorado.  The Collaboration is a network of primarily healthcare professionals including librarians who develop the Cochrane systematic reviews.  Lilian will talk about the role of librarians in the Cochrane Collaboration and specifically about the literature searching workshops she attended.  Lillian is reporting on this activity after having been awarded a Professional Development Award from the NN/LM MidContinental Region. For more information on the award see:  http://nnlm.gov/mcr/funding/ URL: https://webmeeting.nih.gov/mcr/ Equipment: connection to the Internet and a phone, Login: as a guest with your first and last name, Instructions to connect to the audio will show up once you’ve logged in. Captioning will be provided. Questions to mmagee@unmc.edu. (mm) (Source: Midcontinental Region News) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 18:27:29 +0100 894481 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BabyBoomerLibrarian/~3/8icxW2oo4XY/tully-ny-free-library-director-search.html Library Director - Tully Free LibraryOnondaga County Public Library SystemTully, New YorkThe Board of Trustees of Tully Free Library is looking for an innovative and dynamic individual with a passion for library service to fill the position of Library Director.  The Library Director reports to a nine-member Board of Trustees, manages a staff of 3 part-time people and an annual budget over $125,000.  Tully Free Library is chartered to serve over 6000 people in an area that covers approximately 82 square miles, located in the southern hills of Onondaga County. Minimum education requirements are a bachelor’s degree and one-year experience in an administrative capacity in library service or MLS/MLIS degree.Responsibilities include but are not limited to:       Supervise library staff and volunteers       Manage the budgetCommunicate effectively with staff, volunteers, Board members, school liaisons and community members        Oversee facilities including computer use and upkeep Direct and facilitate library program developmentPrepare written reports, payroll schedules and evaluationsSalary offered starting at $30,000; salary is negotiable depending upon qualifications and previous experience. The position is full-time, 35 hours/week in the library.Send cover letter, resume, and at least 2 references by mail to: Director Search, c/o Carol GleasonTully Free LibraryPO Box 250Tully NY 13159-0250Or by email to crgleason@verizon.netThe posting will remain active and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.KyungJin ParkPersonnel AdministratorOnondaga County Public Library Posted via email from Bill Drew - BabyBoomer Librarian (Source: Baby Boomer Librarian) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:50:00 +0100 894501 http://www.lpi.usra.edu/library/n_n.html SABER Astronomy (searchable annotated bibliography of education research) is a database of astronomy education research.SABER is an online, searchable database of astronomy education research. The database contains full bibliographic references to published research articles in the areas of science education, science teaching, teacher education, curriculum and instruction, cognitive science, and informal education. For each reference we provide an annotation, consisting of a short description of the article's content, study focus, and key findings. (Source: New) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:45:52 +0100 894843 http://www.cilip.org.uk/news-media/Pages/news101222.aspx Booktrust funding cut – CILIP and National Literacy Trust respondThe Department for Education has announced that funding for all the Booktrust’s English book gifting programmes will be cut by 100% from 1st April 2011. Programmes include Bookstart, Booktime and Booked Up. CILIP’s Chief Executive, Annie Mauger, responded to the news: “This funding cut is a real blow to improving literacy and encouraging a love of reading.  At CILIP we are extremely concerned that such a devastating cut has been made to a fundamental service. We are now seeing cuts to literacy and libraries at a local and national level. Cutting investment in improving literacy will cause real and long-lasting damage to our children’s learning and development. Literacy is the bedrock of any civilised, prosperous and happy society. Literacy and a love of reading has positive and proven effect on the development and well-being of children, that stays with them throughout their adults lives” Director of the National Literacy Trust, Jonathan Douglas, said: “We are very disappointed to hear that central funding for the book gifting initiatives of fellow literacy charity Booktrust has been discontinued. As an independent charity working to improve literacy levels in the UK ourselves, we know the incredible impact that book gifting programmes can have on the lives of the children and families we work with. “Booktrust’s Bookstart programme in particular has been incredibly important in bringing together health, early years and libraries to focus on literacy. While the Booktime and Booked Up programmes have been extremely effective in supporting children’s motivation to read and literacy attainment at key points in their school life. We hope the work of these programmes will be able to continue in some form. ... Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:09:50 +0100 895293 http://www.sla.org.uk/blg-dfe-cuts-funding-to-bookgifting.php The Booktrust had notification on Friday 17 December from the Department for Education that funding for all English bookgifting programmes to children (Bookstart, Booktime and Booked Up) will be cut by 100% from 1 April 2011. The government's £13m was used to generate a further £56m-worth of sponsorship for the bookgifting schemes from various sources.Booktime donates a book pack to children shortly after they start school, and Booked Up enables each child starting secondary school to choose a book for themselves. The SLA recognises the huge value of both of the schemes in engaging children in the joy of reading and wishes the Booktrust every success in finding alternative funding sources. (Source: SLA Weblog) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:03:16 +0100 895115 http://web.docuticker.com/go/docubase/62252 Assigning Police Officers to Schools (PDF) Source: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice Police agencies have long provided services to schools.§ It has only been in the past two decades, however, that assigning police officers to schools on a full-time basis has become a widespread practice.1,§§ An estimated [...] (Source: Docuticker) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:43:00 +0100 894402 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FreakonomicsBlog/~3/ZNAGSLAe7_I/ If you're looking for ways to expose your kids to economics at an early age, Yana van der Meulen Rodgers, director of the Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children, has some suggestions. They are mostly picture books, geared toward children ages five to ten. (Source: Freakonomics Blog) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:30:01 +0100 894391 http://futura.edublogs.org/2010/12/22/why-teachers-should-be-person-of-the-year/ Time Magazine recently announced that Mark Zuckerberg was selected as their “Person of the Year.”    It seems a rather peculiar choice, since not only is Facebook “old hat”  but also because Facebook has not been the best player in regards to user privacy. So I have my own end of the year suggestion for Time Magazine–how about making teachers the “Person of the Year”? Yes, teachers.   After 29 years in education, both as a teacher and librarian, I”ve known a great number of educators.  And what I’ve seen demonstrated again and again by so many of my colleagues is how much, despite all the recent hype to the contrary, they care about children. So instead of this being the year of software mega-giant or of the likes of Michelle Rhee or Davis Guggenheim,  or the year of union busting in education–perhaps this should be the year we begin simply to honor and celebrate teachers. Teaching is a complex job.  There’s the subject matter, which is complex in and of itself;  there are the students, who are complex in all the ways every human being is, and there’s the place in between where you figure out how to bring the two together for real understanding and growth.  And again, despite claims to the contrary about experienced teachers, you could spend a lifetime as an educator honing your skills and still not master any one of these areas, no matter how dedicated you are. Being a teacher means reinventing yourself daily and annually to meet the needs of the students in front of you, whether it’s figuring out a way to reach a particular student or learning the latest ways to connect your students to a global learning environment. ... Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:22:18 +0100 895046 http://web.docuticker.com/go/docubase/62801 New Ed Trust Analysis Finds That Today’s High School Education Doesn’t Necessarily Prepare Graduates for the Military Source:  Education Trust Many educators comfortably embrace the myth that the military will enlist any and all high school graduates who are interested. However, a new analysis from The Education Trust reports that too [...] (Source: Docuticker) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:28:00 +0100 894406 http://web.resourceshelf.com/go/resourceblog/62808 CLIR Announces Hidden Collections Awards The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) today announced the following recipients of the 2010 Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives awards: American Museum of Natural History Library For the People, for Education, for Science: Web Access to the American Museum of Natural History Archives  $117,600 [...] (Source: ResourceShelf) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:16:00 +0100 894425 http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=414579 (Source: Library Link of the Day) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 08:00:00 +0100 894388 http://librarywriting.blogspot.com/2010/12/cfp-3rd-qualitative-and-quantitative_22.html CFP: 3rd Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries International Conference (QQML2011) URL: http://www.isast.org/qqml2011.htmlWe invite you to submit a paper /abstract /poster /workshop to the 3rd Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries International Conference (QQML2011), 24 - 27 May 2011, Athens Greece . First Call of Proposals QQML2011 Dear Colleagues, It is our great pleasure to announce the 3rd Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries International Conference (QQML2011) at 24 - 27 May 2011, Athens Greece . Since 2009 QQML has provided an excellent framework for the presentation of new trends and developments in every aspect of Library and Information Science, Technology, Applications and Research. The 3rd QQML2011 was scheduled during the previous 2nd QQML2010 Conference. It was also decided that the 4th QQML 2012 International Conference will be organized in Limerick Ireland . QQML2009 and QQML2010 were successful events both from the number and quality of the presentations and from the post conference publications in Journals and Books. QQML2011 will continue and expand the related topics. Papers are invited for this international conference. ... Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894987 http://michaelgolrick.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-every-library-school-student.html Back in November, a series of posts caught my eye...it was about what Library School students need to know.Jill Hurst-Wahl's post is from the viewpoint of a faculty member. In addition to being up beat, she has a few key words of advice which I am excerpting here:Your coursework won't teach you everything you need to know.Every information professional you meet during your graduate program is a person who can connect you to a job. Your reputation, CV/resume and portfolio matter.She then followed up (in a different forum) with some comments and links to the other posts on which I will comment below.Bobbi Newman gathered together a number of posts which address the topic under the title "Is She Crazy to Want to Work in Libraries?"Her post was succeeded on Will Manley's blog with two posts:“Any Advice for an Aspiring Librarian?”“Do Grade Point Averages Make a Difference in the Hiring Process?”I suggest that you read both, and the comments...Finally, Roy Tenant added to Jill's post by noting several points that I am highlighting by pasting below:No matter how close to graduation you are, your education has only just begun.Although it might sound like work, constant learning is fun.and in practical advice:Find someone in the profession you admire, and offer to take them to lunch or drinks or dinner at a conference you are both attending. (Source: Thoughts from a Library Administrator) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894979 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/dTJJL/~3/b0_rcvrneME/100-cut-to-english-book-gifting.html The U.K. Department for Education has announced that funding for all the Booktrust's English book gifting programmes will be cut by 100% from 1 April 2011. Programmes include Bookstart, Booktime and Booked Up (Source: Peter Scott's Library Blog) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894619 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/dTJJL/~3/XMfQxAsDUVI/look-here-project-conference-uk.html Look-Here! Project Conference - 8 February 2011 - London, UK - This event is organised by the Visual Arts Data Service (VADS) to celebrate the work of the JISC-funded Look-Here! Project, which is working collaboratively to develop skills and strategies for digitisation in the arts education sector. The conference will include a keynote from JISC and presentations from the project partners including: the Visual Arts Data Service, Knitting Collections at University of Southampton, Libraries at University for the Creative Arts and University College Falmouth, Archives and Special Collections at University of the Arts London, Design Archives at University of Brighton, and Museum of Design in Plastics at Arts University College Bournemouth (Source: Peter Scott's Library Blog) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894618 http://outofthejungle.blogspot.com/2010/12/blind-visually-disabled-students.html The Chronicle of Higher Education, in a news story dated December 12, by Marc Parry, reports that as colleges and universities create more social media-based services and "hubs" for students, there is an increasing problem with visually disabled students lacking access. The developers of these sites simply don't think about making them accessible, the way that architects now routinely consider ramps and braille signage. But the problem is bigger than social sites' accessibility. E-textbooks often lack the metadata tags that are key for the screenreaders used by visually disabled readers. If an illustration does not have a caption explaining what the illustration, graph or image shows, the blind student cannot access that information. When schools mandate the use of Kindles they really need to be aware that these machines do not have decent readers built in, and blind users will HATE or be unable to use the machines to access e-books (depends on the version whether there is a voice at all -- visit this 2009 CNet review for a sample of the voice). When websites require mouse clicks to navigate, a vision-impaired user cannot access the site, because they cannot see to move the mouse around on the screen. They use a keyboard, and need a key substitute for the button click that the web designer imagines for the mouse. With a mouse-only design, visually impaired users have been locked out of the website.These new developments are actually causing the visually disabled student to LOSE ground from the status of the visually disabled college student of 20 years ago, according to Daniel F. Goldstein, counsel to the National Federation for the Blind. Goldstein helped students file a discrimination complaint against Penn State because of campus technology blocking their access to the library catalog, department websites, and the course management software, which is apparently a nightmare. ... Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894539 http://hurstassociates.blogspot.com/2010/12/when-students-work-intersects-with.html This blog post reflects my opinion and not the opinion of any organization that I am associated with.  I look forward to comments on this, especially from those who deal with copyright, ethics or academic integrity.Recently, I spoke to someone who had been hired to write papers for a university student. I knew that there were services available that would either resell older student papers or connect a student to someone who will write their papers for them, but I never expected to interact with someone who had participated in this industry.You will wonder if the person felt that the work had been wrong.  I didn't ask that that exact question, but sensed that earning money trumped that concern.  In reality, it is the student who would get into trouble if it was discovered that the work was not his/her own and not the person who has been hired to do the work.This is a topic that is discussed in the news on occasion (e.g., Chronicle of Higher Education, Nov. 12, 2010 and Nov. 22, 2010 which call these writers "shadow scholars"). In the past few days, I've talked about this with a few colleagues/friends and concerns regarding copyright, integrity and ethics have arose, as well as detection.  That had led me to writing this blog post in order to share some thoughts on this more publicly.Areas of Concerns:Copyright - One person's immediate reaction was that there was a copyright violation; however, I would argue that paper was a work-for-hire.  In this case, the writer has been paid to write the paper for the student, and the copyright becomes owned by the student.  Therefore, there isn't a copyright violation.Integrity - One concern is that the student is not representing his/her abilities honestly.  This means that the grade for the work does not reflect what the student can honestly do, nor does it mean that the professor has a correct impression of the student's abilities. ... Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894527 http://micheladrien.blogspot.com/2010/12/law-reform-commission-of-ireland-report_22.html The Law Reform Commission of Ireland has published a Report on Legal Aspects of Family Relationships.Among the specific recommendations made in the Report are:new terms “parental responsibility”, “day-to-day care” and “contact” should replace the terms guardianship, custody and access currently used in the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964. The new terms would give a clearer indication of what is actually involved in this part of family law; and remove any misunderstanding that parental rights involving children exist without corresponding responsibilities. It would also ensure that the terms used in Ireland would be in line with those used in many other States and in international instruments to which Ireland is a party.parental responsibility (guardianship) should be defined in legislation as including the duty to maintain and properly care for a child, the right to apply for a passport for the child and the right to make decisions about where a child will live, a child’s religious and secular education, health requirements and general welfare.day-to-day care (custody) should be defined in legislation as including the ability of the parent, or person in loco parentis, to exercise care and control over a child on a day-to-day basis, to protect and to supervise the child.contact (access) should be defined in legislation as including the right of the child to maintain personal relations and contact with the parent or other qualifying person on a regular basis, subject to the proviso that contact must be in the best interests of the child.mothers and fathers (including non-marital fathers) should have automatic joint parental responsibility (guardianship) for their children.there should be automatic joint registration of both parents on a birth certificate (intended to reinforce the right of a child to know their parents).legislation should facilitate the extension of parental responsibility to civil partners and step-parents. ... Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894519 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Digitization101/~3/9tCVLN5ONV8/when-students-work-intersects-with.html This blog post reflects my opinion and not the opinion of any organization that I am associated with.  I look forward to comments on this, especially from those who deal with copyright, ethics or academic integrity.Recently, I spoke to someone who had been hired to write papers for a university student. I knew that there were services available that would either resell older student papers or connect a student to someone who will write their papers for them, but I never expected to interact with someone who had participated in this industry.You will wonder if the person felt that the work had been wrong.  I didn't ask that that exact question, but sensed that earning money trumped that concern.  In reality, it is the student who would get into trouble if it was discovered that the work was not his/her own and not the person who has been hired to do the work.This is a topic that is discussed in the news on occasion (e.g., Chronicle of Higher Education, Nov. 12, 2010 and Nov. 22, 2010 which call these writers "shadow scholars"). In the past few days, I've talked about this with a few colleagues/friends and concerns regarding copyright, integrity and ethics have arose, as well as detection.  That had led me to writing this blog post in order to share some thoughts on this more publicly.Areas of Concerns:Copyright - One person's immediate reaction was that there was a copyright violation; however, I would argue that paper was a work-for-hire.  In this case, the writer has been paid to write the paper for the student, and the copyright becomes owned by the student.  Therefore, there isn't a copyright violation.Integrity - One concern is that the student is not representing his/her abilities honestly.  This means that the grade for the work does not reflect what the student can honestly do, nor does it mean that the professor has a correct impression of the student's abilities. ... Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894495 http://blog.case.edu/bcg8/2010/12/22/books_for_christmas For all my library friends, have a nice holidays. (Source: e3 Information Overload, E-Resources for Engineering Education) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894486 http://acrlog.org/2010/12/22/incorporating-failure-into-library-instruction/ Failure is what’s getting a fair amount of attention right now, especially when the conversation turns to learning. I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as a growing consensus, but I’m hearing and reading more about the importance of allowing students to learn through authentic practice, what some call experiential learning, that puts them into situations where they can succeed or fail – and learn by doing so themselves or from the experiences of their fellow students. Educators have known for many years that students have better learning experiences when there is a hands-on component which enables them to learn through their own mistakes and by coming to their own conclusions; what then need is less lecturing and demonstration. Think back to the days when the vast majority of trades were learned through apprenticeships. It was all about having authentic practice, and learning from one’s own mistakes. One good example that promotes the value of failure for learning is a TED Talk by Diana Laufenberg on the topic of “How to Learn? From Mistakes.” In this talk Laufenberg, who is a teacher at a progressive school in Philadelphia, describes how she creates projects that promote constructivism in the classroom. Traditional education, as she describes it, is focused entirely on getting things right – and never being wrong. How do you get an A grade? You always give the right answers on tests. The problem associated with test taking is that it rarely results in real learning (a permanent change in behavior/thinking). I really like the point that the traditional methods are based on a world of information scarcity when you had to sit in a classroom to have an expert pour it into your head. In a world of information abundance, the answers and possibilities are all around contemporary students. They know how to find it. ... Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894419 http://keptup.typepad.com/academic/2010/12/fish-on-conservatives-and-liberals-in-higher-education.html A new book I received in the same week.“Academic Freedom in the Post-9/11 Era” (Source: The Kept-Up Academic Librarian) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894398 http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.education.web4lib/17236 Hi all. For the past few days, we have been unable to access the D-Lib Magazine site at http://www.dlib.org/ The mirror site at http://dlib.ukoln.ac.uk/ is still fine, but we get connection timeouts for the main site. If access is working for you, could you drop me a quick note at lbspodic-Z61Sh+0+0WM< at >public.gmane.org so I can direct our network staff efforts appropriately? Thanks! -Spode (Source: gmane.education.web4lib) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894353 http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.education.web4lib/17237 On Dec 21, 2010, at 7:26 PM, Edward Spodick wrote: http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/www.dlib.org/ ;-) -- Since we have to speak well of the dead, let's knock them while they're alive. -- John Sloan (Source: gmane.education.web4lib) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894352 http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.education.web4lib/17238 Excellent link Francis - thanks! It looks like it's just us. -Spode At 7:51 PM -0600 12/21/10, Francis Kayiwa wrote: (Source: gmane.education.web4lib) Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:00:00 +0100 894351 http://laurenpressley.com/library/2010/12/acrlny-innovation-by-design-re-visioning-the-library/ Earlier this month I had the fortune to attend the 2010 ACRL/NY Annual Symposium at Baruch College, Vertical Campus Conference Center in New York. The theme of the symposium was “Innovation by Design: Re-Visioning the Library.” The symposium was a really well run event. ACRL/NY is an excellent organization, and they know how to put on a one-day conference. I’ve been eyeing them for the past few years and was really thankful to be able to participate in one. These events have been taking place since the 1980s and themes have included: emerging leadership, 21st century libraries, and assessment. This year’s theme, as you can tell, was design. The first speaker of the day was Bill Mayer of American University. As University Librarian, he’s implementing a number of changes that will be familiar to us at ZSR: moving materials off site, bringing in other service providers, rethinking services, putting library people in the community, etc. He was an engaging speaker and it was really good to see the message out there and getting a good reception. If you’re interested in more, here’s an article about his thoughts on next steps at American. Aaron Schmidt, of Walking Paper fame, spoke on designing the user experience. He covered both designing the physical experience as well as the virtual, and clearly came at his topic from a designer’s angle. Aaron is a dynamic speaker, with I’m guessing no less than 100 high-impact slides while walking around and interacting with the audience. He’s really interested in getting libraries to identify a few things they can do really well (and generate enthusiastic supporters) rather than trying to do everything decently (and having lukewarm supporters). Finally, Leah Buley from Adaptive Path, spoke. Leah came from a different angle, as she doesn’t work in a library. ... Wed, 22 Dec 2010 04:29:04 +0100 894420