Saturday, July 31, 2010

New Product: Universal Class from Recorded Books

Universal Class is an online educational service providing a diverse offering of intellectually stimulating courses for people interested in the lifelong pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Lifelong learning not only enhances social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development, but also competitiveness and employability.

Something for Everyone - Over 500 courses covering a wide range of subjects
Live Instructors – Real instructors moderate each course, grade assignments and interact with students to better guide their learning
Course Recognition - The ability to earn Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) that meet an international standard
Video Based Lessons – Lessons are presented using engaging, state-of-the-art video presentations
Graded Tests - Multiple choice, written, field work and hands on assignments
Collaborative Learning Environment - Connect with other students in group forums or post a classroom blog
Guided Instruction - Progress tracking and continual feedback throughout a course
Certificates of Achievement - Upon completion of a course (note: these courses are not for college credit)
Library Services – Including remote patron access via the internet, unlimited patron access to all courses, library administrative site with reporting

Visit our website for more information: http://www.recordedbooks.com/

Features of Universal Class:

• Over 500 Courses
• Real Instructors with Continual Feedback
• Engaging Video-based Lessons*
• Collaborative Learning Environment
• Certificates of Achievement
• Continuing Education Units That Meet IACET Standards
• Affordable Pricing for All Libraries


Webinar Schedule
Join us for a free, online demonstration of Universal Class. In this short, 45 minute webinar we will explain how the system works, demonstrate the program live, answer your questions and even give out a few door prizes! Space is limited so sign up today.

Tue, Jul 20, 2010 11am - 11:45am
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/681996306


Tue, Aug 3, 2010 11am - 11:45am
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/342750203


Tue, Aug 17, 2010 11am - 11:45am
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/122421634




Internet Librarian Discount

You can find information and registration form for Internet Librarian 2010 on our site now, at http://www.califa.org/2010InternetLibrarian.php. Register for this awesome conference and get a discount through Califa.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

New partnership with OCLC

We are excited to announce that Califa is now partners with OCLC - the full press release is below. Let us know if you have any questions!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Bob Murphy +1-614-761-5136
murphyb@oclc.org

OCLC and the Califa Library Group announce partnership

DUBLIN, Ohio, July 21, 2010—OCLC welcomes the Califa Library Group as the newest partner in the OCLC Partnership Program.

As Partners, OCLC and Califa will collaborate on programs and activities to enhance services and expand educational opportunities to members of both organizations. This new partnership enables both organizations to explore new ways to anticipate and address the needs of shared members. Initiatives will include improving access to information to maximize the use of OCLC products and services, collaborating on online events and conferences with a focus on new technologies, and opportunities to expose new trends in funding and education.

The Califa Library Group, a not for profit membership cooperative serving libraries and information organizations in California, has been an active participant in OCLC cooperative services such as cataloging with WorldCat and group services. As an OCLC Partner, Califa and OCLC will work together to share information, educate and inform members of both organizations for the benefit of libraries and their users.

“We look forward to the opportunities created for Califa members that a partnership with OCLC offers. We are especially interested in collaborating on virtual training on new technologies,” said Linda Crowe, Califa Library Group Executive Director.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Califa to our growing Partnership Program,” said Cathy De Rosa, OCLC Vice President, Global Marketing. “The collaborative programs and services we can deliver together will allow members to take full advantage of current technologies that can improve efficiencies for Califa groups and libraries.”

The OCLC Partnership Program offers value-added services to OCLC member institutions through the development of strategic partnerships with library consortia, groups, networks and other membership organizations. OCLC and its Partners work together to strengthen member relationships and develop programs and services to serve the needs of shared members. For more information about the OCLC Partnership Program, or to learn more about becoming an OCLC Partner to deliver new service options or training to members, contact OCLC at partnerships@oclc.org.


About OCLC

Founded in 1967, OCLC is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world’s information and reducing library costs. More than 72,000 libraries in 171 countries have used OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend, preserve and manage library materials. Researchers, students, faculty, scholars, professional librarians and other information seekers use OCLC services to obtain bibliographic, abstract and full-text information when and where they need it. OCLC and its member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the world’s largest online database for discovery of library resources. Search WorldCat on the Web at www.worldcat.org. For more information, visit www.oclc.org.

About the Califa Library Group

The Califa Library Group is a not for profit membership cooperative serving libraries and information organizations in California. Established in 2004 with LSTA funding from the California State Library, Califa collaborates with members and provides leadership for cooperative negotiations to help ensure that members receive quality information resources. With over 220 members, including most of the public libraries, Califa is the largest library network in California. Califa’s membership includes all sizes and types of libraries – academic, research, public, school, corporate, medical, law, and special. A Board of Directors, elected by and from the membership, governs Califa, which is based in San Mateo, California with an office in Los Angeles. For more information visit http://www.califa.org/
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OCLC, WorldCat and WorldCat.org are trademarks/service marks of OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.

Third-party product, service and business names are trademarks/service marks of their respective owners.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Califa now represents mk Sorting Systems

mk RFID Book-Drop with Mini Sorter

Libraries can benefit from a sorting solution that offers space saving options and automatically sorts all library materials. The two bins can be specified to sort children books/adult books or books/media or ready to re-shelve/special handling. The sorter uses RFID and automatically updates your ILS in real time. Califa offers the mk Mini Sorter in various options including wall integrated, or access with outdoor/indoor book drops or stand alone with enclosures to be placed in the public area of the library. Contact Califa for additional information.

mk LibDispenser

German engineering has produced the newest version of automatic book and media dispensing for libraries. This technologically advanced solution integrates with your library ILS system and allows patrons to browse the catalog, check items in and out and also place holds. This stand alone branch allows for 24 hours access to library items anytime and anywhere. Alameda Free Library has set up the first location in the U.S. and the Peninsula Library System will be installing their dispenser in the Millbrae Bart Station later this year. For more information, contact califa@califa.org

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Gale PowerSpeak update

If you were one of the libraries who made the June 30 deadline for the offer for small libraries from Gale for PowerSpeak, congrats! You got a really good deal! If you were unable to make a decision, but would still like information on the product, and pricing, please contact either Gail Bandish or Patti Brown Finnie at Gale - they may be able to work with you.