Wednesday, December 28, 2011

New Califa Vendor: Marshall Cavendish




We are excited to be working with Marshall Cavendish to offer their eBooks as well as their digital reference content that lets you build your own reference library.  They offer their content (spanning history, health, business, etc) both as a database as well as in eBook format, and the pricing is very highly discounted.

We also have a trial available.  To access the trial of Marshall Cavendish Digital, email me for login details.

You can learn more here:

If you are interested in pricing, please let me know.  

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Text a Librarian



Below is an update from Text a Librarian - they've added several new features that you may be interested in.  If you would like a quote, or have any questions, let me know.

                                                           
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2011

Mosio Improves Mobile Patron Relationship Management With New Text a Librarian Features
Text Message Alerts, Announcements and Single Patron Messaging Functionality Enables Increased Engagement with More Patrons on their Mobile Devices

San Francisco, CA – Mosio, an award winning mobile software company providing text messaging and mobile web solutions for businesses and organizations, today announced the launch of new Mobile PRM™ (Patron Relationship Management) tools included with all Text a Librarian plans.

Built specifically for libraries on its easy-to-use, web-based, mobile carrier approved technology, Text a Librarian’s Mobile PRM features enable libraries to send text message alerts and announcements to subscriber lists or individual patrons, keeping them abreast of news, updates or individual follow up from their library. Mosio’s two-way text messaging features enable patrons to reply to the messages they receive, which will be sent back to their library, starting a “text chat” conversation.

The mobile patron relationship management features are tied-in to a library’s Text a Librarian account. Mosio’s mobile carrier-certified network uses a permitted text messaging short code and offers advantages over 10 digit local numbers and other SMS hacks, ensuring message delivery and avoidance of blocking or carrier blacklisting.

Text a Librarian’s Mobile PRM tools are a response to the growing interest we have seen in libraries wanting to engage and interact with more mobile patrons. Text messaging is the most utilized channel on the mobile phone, making it a must-have strategy for all organizations” says Noel Chandler, Co-Founder and CEO of Mosio.

“As companies and technologies increasingly demand patron attention, the importance of the personal touch in communications has never been more important. These new tools continue to solidify Mosio’s standing as the leading mobile software company for library patron relationship management. We are committed to providing the most reliable, accessible and easy-to-use mobile technologies to libraries in their efforts to stay top of mind with patrons,” Chandler added.

More Than Virtual Reference

The changing landscape of mobile technology requires libraries and other organizations to stay relevant by proactively engaging with as many patrons as possible. Text messaging is available on over 99% of all mobile phones with over 95% of text messages read within 15 minutes, making it a ubiquitous, powerful two-way mobile communication technology. With Text a Librarian's Mobile PRM
features, libraries control the dynamics and frequency of their communications with mobile patrons.

3 Library Benefits from Text a Librarian’s Mobile PRM Features:
1. Increased patron engagement, awareness and interaction through text message alerts and announcements.
Scheduled text message blasts to subscribers, compliant with MMA guidelines. These can be used for library announcements and alerts, but also as fun ways of keeping patrons engaged with the library (quotes, facts, trivia, etc), much in the same way companies use the SMS channel for mobile marketing and reminders.

2. Efficient, trackable single patron messaging from the Text a Librarian web dashboard.
The ability to send a text message to a patron as a part of follow up rather than calling? For example, "after we locate what it is you're looking for, should we call, email or text you?"

3. Improved patron services through reliable, secure, two way text messaging for questions, comments and feedback.
Using the same, web-based, user-friendly dashboard created specifically for libraries, librarians can receive and respond to patron reference questions from any computer connected to the Internet.
Existing Text a Librarian customers will receive a notice instructing them on how to promote and use the mobile patron relationship management feature. Libraries interested in benefiting from all of Text a Librarian’s features can visit http://www.textalibrarian.com, call 877.667.4699 or text ASKTAL to 66746 from their mobile phone for more information.*  
###
About Text a Librarian
Mosio's Text a Librarian is web-based text messaging software developed specifically for libraries by taking an award-winning mobile questions and answers technology and consulting with over 1,000 reference and patron services librarians to find out what would make it useful, accessible and affordable for libraries to use. Text a Librarian services patrons in over 800 libraries across the U.S., including the New York Public Library, Yale University, Cornell University, Maricopa County Community Colleges, State Library of Ohio, Los Angeles Public Library, ITT Technical Institute and the Free Library of Philadelphia.
More info: http://www.textalibrarian.com

About Mosio
Mosio is a mobile software and solutions company providing text messaging and mobile web solutions helping organizations connect with customers and members on the go, using their mobile presence as a competitive advantage to increase sales and brand loyalty. Utilizing relationships with 59 mobile carriers on over 280 million U.S. mobile phones, Mosio is able to provide text messaging services in a secure, spam-free environment, with assurance of message delivery.
Headquartered in San Francisco, Mosio's mobile technologies have served Microsoft, Pepco, U.S. Remodelers, Enterprise Holdings, American Hospital Association, Walt Disney, State Farm Insurance, Healthy Heartland and the United States Department of Health and Services.
More Info: http://www.mosio.com/biz

Media Contact:
Noel Chandler
Mosio, Inc.
press@mosioproject.com

+1 415.756.0123
* Message & Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 66746 to opt-out.
Privacy: http://www.mosio.com/privacy.php Support: support[[at]]mosioproject.com / 877.667.4699

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Upcoming OCLC Webinar: Seeking Synchronicity: Revelations and Recommendations for Virtual Reference



 Join Califa and OCLC to learn about OCLC Research findings that will inform future development and inspire effectiveness for virtual reference services.  On January 31, you have the opportunity to join OCLC and Califa virtually to hear about and discuss the findings of the Seeking Synchronicity report. 

In this webinar, Lynn Silipigni Connaway, PhD., Senior Research Scientist at OCLC, and Marie L. Radford, PhD., Associate Professor, School of Communication & Information, Rutgers, will discuss the key findings of their multi-year study that were recently published in the report, Seeking Synchronicity: Revelations and Recommendations for Virtual Reference.

Their findings show that today’s patrons, scholars and citizens are not just looking to libraries alone for answers to specific questions; they want to also engage partners and guides in their lifelong information-seeking journey. Virtual Reference is an opportunity to meet those needs.

This webinar will give Califa members the opportunity to ask in-depth questions of the authors about their findings as well as cover general topics of concern for Virtual Reference providers. 


This webinar will be the first in a series of sessions on Virtual Reference from Califa and OCLC. We will be working together to give timely updates and spark discussion on how to best find and meet your patrons online. Don’t miss this exciting kick-off!
  

Tuesday, December 13, 2011


TO:                  CLA MEMBERS/ NETWORKS/ SYSTEM CONTACTS

FROM:           Mike Dillon, CLA Lobbyist
                       Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyist

RE:                 News From the Capitol

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SAYS BUDGET “TRIGGER” WILL BE PULLED
Shortly after noon today, Governor Brown, flanked by his Director of the Department of Finance, announced that despite a modest improvement in the economy, (November sales tax receipts were up, as well as capital gains on upper income earners) state revenues have not rebounded sufficiently.   As such, the Governor announced that the so-called “Tier 1” trigger and a portion of the “Tier 2” trigger will be pulled.   This action will include a $16 million reduction to state library funding, which essentially eliminates all remaining state funding for the California Library Services Act, the state literacy program, and the Public Library Foundation.  The Governor also used the press conference to discuss his upcoming January Budget, as well as his $7 billion revenue package initiative that he is qualifying for the November ballot. 


As you will recall, as part of the 2011-12 Budget agreement, the legislature and the Governor created a so-called “Budget trigger,” (AB 121, Statutes of 2011) to serve as a balancing mechanism should $4 billion in anticipated state revenues not materialize as projected.  Per the terms of AB 121, the state’s Legislative Analyst and the Department of Finance were required to prepare substantial fiscal analyses that would determine whether or not the state could rely on the anticipated $4 billion in cash.  If the money was not expected to materialize, the bill created a procedure (a “trigger”) by which automatic cuts would be made to programs such as library services, UC, CSU, In Home Support Services, disability services, etc. in the so-called “Tier 1” trigger.  A second “Tier 2” trigger would make cuts to K-14 school funding. 


As previously reported, the Legislative Analyst’s Office produced their analysis on November 16th and indicated that because the “economic recovery was slower than expected” they anticipated that revenues would be approximately $3 billion short of the anticipated $4 billion figure associated with the trigger.  This amount would then be compounded by an additional revenue shortfall of $10 billion for the upcoming 2012-13 Budget year (mostly due to K-14 education guarantees and repaying the $2 billion in property taxes borrowed from local government in 2009) – leaving the state “with a year-end deficit of about $13 billion, absent any additional budgetary corrections.” 


The Department of Finance was required to release their revenue projections by December 15th, so we were surprised when we learned that the Governor and Finance Director Ana  Matosantos would hold a press conference to make their announcement today.  The Governor said that based on newer revenue projections, the combined Tier 1 and Tier 2 cuts will amount to about $1 billion.   (“Tier 1” cuts total approximately $600 million plus, and “Tier 2” cuts would total $328 million, instead of the full $1.5 billion cut to K-14 education.)   The Governor also said that his 2012-13 Budget – to be released on or around January 10 – will include “more cuts to follow,” and importantly, will include $7 billion in revenues, predicated on voters passing his tax initiative on the November 2012 ballot.  (The Governor is proposing a five year ½ cent sales tax increase as well as an income tax increase on $250K filers and up.)  The January 2012-13 Budget will contain another “trigger” providing for automatic cuts if voters reject his initiative.  When the Governor was asked by a reporter to address those impacted by the cuts to the “Tier 1” programs, he acknowledged that the cuts were very difficult, but added a phrase in Latin, which the Governor translated as, “No man gives what he does not have.”  The Governor then also expressed frustration with the state’s previous lack of fiscal discipline, adding that past Budgets were compiled through “obfuscation and gimmickry.”    In response to a reporter’s question about competing tax measures being circulated for the November ballot, the Governor said that he “talked to one of the groups” and presumably would be talking to the others.  He added, “We hope to have a clear field in November.  We want to avoid doubling cuts if (the tax proposal) fails.”    


Leading up to today’s announcement, we not only met with the Governor’s Director of Finance Ana Matosantos, but we also sought the opinions of several high ranking legislators and staff at the Capitol – to a) determine the likelihood that the “trigger” would be pulled and b) to consider next steps if the “trigger” were to be pulled.  It is important to note that one of the factors leading into today’s decision to pull the trigger was the need to assure bond holders and investors that California is taking a serious approach to solving the state’s chronic Budget challenges.  Were the Governor and Finance to choose to not pull the trigger, it could be perceived by those investors as loosening the stability of the 2011-12 Budget deal. 
In terms of next steps, we will wait for the Governor’s presentation of the January Budget and then we will then need to begin the arduous process of trying to build funding back in to the 2012-13 Budget for libraries.  The process will be similar to that of years’ past wherein the Budget subcommittees will hold hearings on various funding areas in the Budget, beginning in March.  Their deliberations will conclude around Memorial Day, with the full Budget Conference Committee (a two-house committee) then convening the first part of June to address differences between the Governor’s Budget and the actions of the subcommittees. 
The legislature will return to the Capitol to begin the 2012 session on Wednesday, January 4.  After the first of the year, we will provide you will instructions regarding key legislators to contact to encourage their support of putting library funding back in the Budget. 

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

New Califa Vendor: Brainfuse (JobNow)





We're thrilled to be working with Brainfuse on their JobNow product, which provides live career coaching, resume help, digital literacy, and more. The price starts out reasonable, and gets lower if we reach certain thresholds. Contact Heather for a quote. There are also several webinars coming up - check the calendar for details and registration info.
Here's more info:

JobNow consists of a unique suite of resources for job seekers, including on-demand access to trained career experts who provide live, one-to-one interview coaching and resume assistance. Brainfuse worked closely with one of the nation’s leading workforce centers (Jefferson County Workforce, CO) to develop a team of trained job coaches and high-quality online resources. JobNow™ services include:

LIVE INTERVIEW COACHING: Patrons can brush up on interview techniques or get live online interview practice from trained job coaches. Job coaches and patrons communicate via live chat in our online classroom. In addition to live interview coaching, patrons enjoy 24/7 access to interview tips and resources.

RESUME LAB: Job seekers receive expert resume/cover letter assistance from trained experts. Users are also able to download resume templates, or browse resources for producing better resumes.
LIVE CAREER ASSISTANCE: Patrons enjoy 24/7 access to a carefully-selected library of (national, regional, and local) job resources. In addition, Brainfuse job coaches provide live, online assistance in strategically targeting jobs best suited to a patron’s interests and qualifications.
THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER: The Adult Learning Center provides foundational, career-enhancing skills to adult learners through test preparation (including the GED and the U.S. Citizenship Test) and a comprehensive academic skills center featuring live, online tutors.

LIVE ACADEMIC TUTORING for assignments and coursework.

LIVE SKILLS TUTORING to master skills through live, one-to-one lessons in math, reading, and writing, and computer literacy.
WRITING ASSISTANCE from trained instructors who help patrons produce better business letters, term papers, resumes, or any other piece of writing.
ADULT TEST CENTER: 24-hour access to a regularly updated test library, including the GED, academic skills assessments, and a unique U.S. Citizenship Test course developed with the San Diego County Public Library.
COMPUTER LITERACY AND BASIC SOFTWARE ASSISTANCE: Brainfuse tutors provide live assistance to patrons who need help using their computer to complete a personal project or academic assignment (such as inserting footnotes in a term paper or crafting a school presentation with Power Point). In addition, students can connect with a skills building tutor for individual lessons in hundreds of computer literacy topics.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Credo Reference update

A few updates from Credo Reference.


December webinars are now posted here: http://corp.credoreference.com/introduction/calendar-of-demo-webinars.html
The training schedule for existing customers can be found here: http://corp.credoreference.com/support/training/training-schedule.html

Discounts!!

We have two promotions running through 16 December:
20% off a NEW subscription to Credo General Reference (applies to first year, standard consortium discount applies for renewals)
Discounts off Publisher and Subject Collections:
    Add 1 Publisher or Subject Collection by December 16th and receive a 10% discount.
    Add 2 Publisher or Subject Collections by December 16th and receive a 15% discount.
    Add 3 or more Publisher or Subject Collections by December 16th and receive a 20% discount.

Lastly, in the 15 November Library Journal Credo Reference was selected Best Overall Reference Database for 2012.

Sunday, November 27, 2011


NEW: Preservation grants for collection assessment! Apply now!!

California Preservation Assessment Project (CPAP) Guidelines for Application
Funding: 10 awards of collection preservation assessments in FY 2011/12

Application deadline: Friday, January 27, 2012 (and, if additional awards are available, Friday, March 30, 2012)
The California Preservation Assessment Project, managed by the California Preservation Program, is designed to help small and mid-sized libraries and archives plan improvements in care for their permanent and historical collections. All institutions (libraries, archives, museums, parks, and historical societies) in California with library and archival collections and that provide free public access are eligible to apply. Permanent and historical collections appropriate for assessment include books and journals, archives and manuscripts, prints and photographs, moving images, sound recordings, architectural and cartographic records, and digital materials.

A preservation assessment of the collections, including scope and scale of preservation needs as well as recommendations, is an essential first step to create a plan for enhanced collection care. Further, preservation assessments often are a required step preliminary to preservation grant funding. Consequently, CPAP was created to assist California institutions plan programs and projects to meet preservation needs of their collections.

For application and selection process, please see attached or visit: http://www.calpreservation.org/services/cpap.html

Monday, November 21, 2011

A to Z Databases update


Many thanks to the libraries who participated in the Product Review for A to Z Databases.  The final review with scores and vendor responses is on our website under Products --> Product Reviews.  Alternatively, you can download it directly using this link: http://www.califa.org/uploadfiles/AtoZreview.doc

Please note that a trial is still available until December 1, and there are threshold discounts for anyone who signs up before December 15 (to be billed in January).  The trial info is on our site - califa.org-->members-->internal documents (you will need to sign in with your Califa login and password).  All our trial information is on that Members Only page.  If you would like a quote, or need more info, please let me know.

Finally, many of you had questions after the webinars, and Christine sent the following answers, as well as some updates on changes that were just made. 

First, the changes as of November 16 (from Christine at A to Z):

I haven’t typed up an official press release, but wanted to let you know that we have made these changes last night and are now in AtoZdatabases.com:

-          Added 8 million email addresses in the detailed business database.
-          Now display up to 100 executives in the detailed business listing.
-          Added the capability to search for interests/hobbies/lifestyles within the 220 million residential database.  There are 135 categories to select by.
-          We are on track to have the mobile application done in January 2012. 

And second, the responses to the questions that came up in the webinar (again, from Christine):

  I wanted to attach some information from questions that came up over the last two webinars.  If you can forward onto those who registered with you or out to the whole group, I would appreciate it.   While we are adding this additional language to our homepage on New Businesses, New Movers and New Homeowners, I wanted everyone to know how we gather the information.  I have attached it below.

-            There was a question about the email addresses that we will be adding to the database.  I have been told there are no generic company emails, just individual addresses.

-           I mentioned how the email addresses will be a view only.  I asked a bit further about this.  Right now this is an executive decision and will see if this will change.   I did confirm that you would be able to highlight the data to paste it into a spreadsheet/email.  I will let you know more as we make it available.    

-           There was a question about being able to search by fax numbers.  I attempted this with the group and it didn’t work.   When I discussed with our programmer, I was told the intent is to allow this.  They will look into and change so that patrons will be able to search by fax numbers.

New Businesses
New Businesses are acquired through multiple sources including state Secretary of State filings and new phone connect records.  When a business is in the process of establishing itself, state laws require that documents be filed with the Secretary of State’s office in that state.  These records are made available to the general public and are obtained and incorporated into the New Business Database.  New phone connect information is provided by local phone companies whenever a new phone number is connected.  Each week, these two sources are combined into the New Business Database.   
New Movers
New Movers are acquired through multiple sources including register of deeds records and new phone connect records.  When someone purchases a new home, the transaction is recorded at the local county register of deeds’ office.  In the majority of states, these records are made available to the general public and are obtained and incorporated into the New Mover Database.  New phone connect information is provided by local phone companies whenever a new phone number is connected.  Approximately 82% of the records in the New Mover Database are sourced by telephone connect information with the remaining 82% coming from deed filing records.  On average, records in the new mover file have been in their homes for 3 to 12 weeks when they are made available to customers with most being there for between 30 and 60 days.
New Homeowners
New Homeowner information is provided by county register of deeds offices in most of the 50 United States.  As properties are bought and sold, the deed for the property, containing the purchaser’s name, the sale price and sale date, has to be recorded by the county government.  In most states, these records are considered public information and are made available to the general public.  However, the state law in several states does not require the recorder’s office to make sales related information available to the public, including the sales price and sales date of the property.  As a result, the number of new homeowner records in these states may be low.  In addition, each county reports their deed information on a different schedule.  Some counties report every week, some counties report once a month and some counties report whenever it is most convenient for them.  This can result in a wide range of purchase dates being made available each week and fluctuations in counts in each county from week to week.   


Thursday, November 17, 2011

congrats to SFPL


Congrats to SFPL as one of the 12 libraries selected nationwide!!!!
 
The San Francisco Public Library along with its partners, Bay Area Video Coalition, California Academy of Sciences, and KQED, will begin planning for a new Teen Center/Learning Lab, which will include both physical spaces as well as a shared virtual platform. The planning process will engage numerous organizations and youth leaders in a series of workshops and pilot activities, creating a vision for participatory learning, a citywide model for collaboration, a conceptual design for a Teen Center, and a sustainability plan. By leveraging the expertise and resources of four leading organizations in the city, the library’s goal is to bridge the digital divide in San Francisco’s youth community; promote digital media literacy; convert digital media consumers to producers and media makers and innovators; develop leaders in civic engagement, social change, and community; create a sustainable partnership model; and prepare youth for the technology job market of the future.

Legislative Update

TO:               CLA MEMBERS, SYSTEMS, NETWORK CONTACTS

FROM:           Mike Dillon, CLA Lobbyist
                    Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyist

RE:                 News From the Capitol


LAO REVENUE FORECAST COULD MEAN “TRIGGER CUTS”

Today the State’s respected non-partisan Legislative Analyst released his
highly anticipated revenue forecast that will be used to evaluate whether or
not the so-called “Budget Trigger” will be pulled in the New Year. As you will
recall from our previous memos to the field, the “Budget Trigger,” AB 121
(statutes of 2011) was created during the 2011 Budget negotiations to serve as
a balancing mechanism should $4 billion in anticipated state revenues not
materialize. (The trigger was also seen as a way to assure bond holders and
investors that California was taking a serious approach to solving its chronic
Budget challenges.) The trigger is comprised of two different “Tiers” and cuts
to programs delineated in those tiers would be imposed if revenues lagged.
What is at stake – and now very much at risk – for public libraries is close
to $16 million in state library funding that could be completely eliminated
should the “Tier 1 trigger” be pulled by the Governor.

Under the AB 121 legislation: “No later than December 15, 2011, the Director
of Finance shall forecast General Fund revenues for the 2011-12 fiscal year
and shall determine whether that revenue forecast or the Legislative Analyst’s
November 2011 General Fund forecast is higher. The Director of Finance shall
notify the Joint Legislative Budget Committee of the determination and the
amount of the higher forecast. If the higher revenue forecast determined
pursuant to subdivision (a) projects General Fund revenues for the 2011-12
fiscal year of less than $87,452,500,000, the Director of Finance shall do all
of the following on or after January 1, 2011…” What then follows is a list of
the items that could be cut effective January 1, including all remaining state
funding for library services – thus eliminating all funding for the CLSA, PLF,
and literacy programs. Federal funds would also be seriously at risk.

As you can imagine, the Legislative Analyst’s Office forecast (and the soon-
to-be revealed Department of Finance’s forecast) is a complex assessment using
factors such as wages, dividends, auto sales, mortgage rates, housing permits,
inflation, unemployment, personal income, and Capital gains. In the LAO’s
report released today, they note that the “economic recovery has been slower
than expected” and they project “continuation of this slow, arduous recovery,
with California’s unemployment rate remaining above 10 percent through mid
2014 and above 8 percent through the end of 2017.” The Analyst expects
revenues to be approximately $3 billion short of the anticipated $4 billion
figure associated with the trigger, and compounded by an additional revenue
shortfall of $10 billion for Budget year 2012-13 (mostly due to K-14 education
guarantees and repaying the $2 billion in property taxes borrowed from local
government in 2009) – leaving the state “with a year-end deficit of about $13
billion, absent any additional budgetary corrections.” The LAO also assumes
that the state will be unable to capture savings in areas previously scored
for savings such as in Medi-Cal and redevelopment (currently being litigated)
and in departmental efficiencies.

Thus, the LAO assumes that all “Tier One” reductions (public libraries, UC and
CSU budgets, In Home Support Services, preschool funding, developmental
services, etc. totaling about $600 million) would be enacted, and then 3/4ths
of the “Tier Two” cuts would be implemented, which would require K-12 schools
to make reductions in school bus transportation, shorten the school year, as
well as a reduction to the community colleges budget. The LAO then adds:

“The ultimate magnitude of the trigger cuts will be determined by the
administration after it compares our revenue forecast with its December
forecast. The higher of the two forecasts will be used to determine the level
of reductions. (The administration may implement less than the maximum amount
of trigger cuts. Our forecast, however, assumes the maximum amount of trigger
cuts based on our forecasted revenue levels.)”


Any Hope?

On October 27, we had a lengthy meeting with the Director of the Department of
Finance, Ana Matosantos to plead our case, asking her and the Governor to
“save libraries from the trigger.” We explained to her in great detail the
critical need to maintaining the funding for the CLSA, literacy program, and
PLF. Subsequent to that meeting, we have also been meeting with key staff for
the leadership and Budget Committees, inquiring as to the options before the
Governor and Legislature. We discussed the particulars in some length at our
presentation in Pasadena last Friday at the CLA Conference, but it is
important to note that while the “trigger” could be pulled, there may also be
some alternatives that could be explored between the Governor and the
leadership. We will be working very hard to ensure that library funding is a
part of those discussions and we will keep you updated as talks progress.
Certainly revenue increases are also not off the table, with the LAO’s report
suggesting: “Given the potential consequences from the types of expenditure
reductions discussed above, the Legislature will also want to consider revenue
increases. For instance, the Governor has stated his desire to have certain
increases in as yet unspecified taxes on the November 2012 ballot. We would
recommend the Legislature continue to review tax expenditure programs and
reconsider various proposals….”

Write the Governor

Please take a moment today to write the Governor and request that he spare
public libraries from the “trigger.” Please cite examples of what the
elimination of the CLSA, the literacy program, and the PLF would mean to your
library. He will need to receive hundreds of letters as soon as possible for
it to have the desired impact. Thank you for your help.

The Honorable Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Governor, State of California
State Capitol, Room 1173
Sacramento, CA. 95814

Or fax your letter to the Governor: (916) 558-3160.

For additional information on how to cc’ your letters to the legislative
leadership, please visit the CLA website (cla-net.org) and click on our
November 8th memo.


Carol Simmons
Executive Director
California Library Association
2471 Flores Street
San Mateo, CA  94403
650-376-0886
650-539-2341 (fax)
csimmons@cla-net.org
www.cla-net.org

Tuesday, November 15, 2011


TO: Cooperative Systems 

FROM: Gerry Maginnity 

I need your help in distributing this information.  Please distribute far and wide. If you know anyone that might be interested they can call me for more info.

The Library Development Services Bureau of the California State Library is recruiting  Library Programs Consultants (LPC) to provide leadership to California libraries. In order to do this we need to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill vacancies over the next year or so.  

While our most immediate need is in the area of children and youth services, we hope to be able to fill other needs over time. Basically, Library Programs Consultants provide leadership to libraries on the creation and coordination of statewide and local library programs and develop, review, analyze, and monitor grant programs.

Below are some great stories of what we’re doing for California libraries. Please consider joining our team!

  • Develop what libraries will look like in 10 years.  What new programs or services will meet the changing needs of California communities?  We monitor trends and community needs to create cutting-edge services and programs to keep our libraries vital.
  • Work with and be inspired by library staff, volunteers and supporters who are all committed to ensuring their local libraries are a place of pride and a community center for learning, gathering and sharing.
  • Help bring statewide summer reading programs to over half-a-million people.
  • Cross-pollinate great ideas and programs from one part of the state to another.  Working from a statewide vantage point allows you to share resources and best practices throughout CA and help libraries collaborate and mentor each other. 
  • Put your passion for libraries into action.  You get to work with all kinds of libraries in all kinds of communities as well as explore potential partnerships with a wide range of public and private organizations. Plus you get to design creative, forward-thinking initiatives that support and inspire library innovation statewide.
  • Be lucky enough to work with a remarkable group of library professionals who provide consumer health information and serve everyone from families with very young children to midlife adults and older.
  • Help gather the statistical data that illustrate how CA public libraries are providing a wide variety of services everyday to millions of registered borrowers.
  • Partner with national organizations and programs to bring additional resources to California libraries and the communities they serve.
  • Help develop information resources and services for California tribes, encourage partnerships between rural public libraries and tribal libraries, and promote historically accurate and culturally sensitive resources for all communities.
  • Be a part of the California Center for the Book and participate in the annual National Book Festival in Washington, DC.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

CLA update


  
TO:                  CLA MEMBERS/ SYSTEMS/ NETWORK CONTACTS

FROM:           Mike Dillon, CLA Lobbyist
                      Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyist
 RE:                News From The Capitol
 
LIBRARY FUNDING IN JEOPARDY – YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
“Spare Public Libraries From the Trigger!”

As CLA members and library supporters are aware, the 2011-12 Budget presented some very tough challenges for three major library programs – the California Library Services Act, the Public Library Foundation, and the state literacy program.  These programs continue to be in jeopardy, and now CLA needs your help again!  

In January, the Governor’s Budget proposed eliminating all state funding for these three programs ($30.4 million), but through heavy lobbying efforts and a strong grass roots showing from the library community, we were able to retain half of that funding ($15.2 million) to keep the three programs operational, by compromising with the legislature and Governor’s office. 

You will recall that, as part of the 2011-12 Budget agreement, the legislature adopted and the Governor signed AB 121, the so-called “Budget Trigger” bill.  This measure states that: 

“No later December 15, 2011, the Director of Finance shall forecast General Fund revenues for the 2011-12 fiscal year and shall determine whether that revenue forecast or the Legislative Analyst’s November 2011 General Fund forecast is higher. The Director of Finance shall notify the Joint Legislative Budget Committee of the determination and the amount of the higher forecast.  If the higher revenue forecast determined pursuant to subdivision (a) projects General Fund revenues for the 2011-12 fiscal year of less than $87,452,500,000, the Director of Finance shall do all of the following on or after January 1, 2011:…..”

What then follows the above language is a list of the items that could be cut, effective January 1, including all remaining state funding for library services (could zero out the $15.2 million), and thus, there would be no more state funding for the CLSA, PLF, or literacy.  The proposed public library cuts are on a list of reductions along with major cuts to UC and CSU, In Home Support Services, and juvenile justice programs, among others.

In a meeting we had last week with the Director of the Department of Finance she asserted that the legislation, AB 121, gives the Department very little flexibility and “wiggle room.”  In subsequently speaking with several key legislative staff members, they acknowledge that for groups (e.g. libraries) to be spared the impacts of the “trigger,” after the first of the year, they would have to be part of a larger, alternative compromise proposal.  If the trigger is pulled, there may be other options, including asking the legislature or the Governor to replace the $15.2 million during next year’s Budget deliberations.  For any of these efforts to work, pressure must be brought to bear by our strong grass roots library supporters.  While we will be working with legislators and Budget staff in the coming weeks and months to try to identify options and solutions, we need your help now.

We are asking CLA members and library supporters to do the following today:

1)    Write the Governor – mail a hard copy letter, or fax it, or email him
a)    cc’ the four legislative leaders on the letter you prepared for the Governor
b)    cc’ your own legislators on these letters

In your letters, please inform the Governor’s office that the cuts will have:

1)     Devastating impacts on local library services (Cite specifics.)
2)     Will dismantle the CLSA – the state’s cooperative loaning program to the point where libraries won’t share resources anymore and non-residents will either not be allowed to use services or will use them at significant cost (e.g. library cards of $75 or more)
3)    20,000 adult literacy learners may have nowhere else to turn for services.
4)    Approximately $15 million in federal funding – money that also funds the Braille and Talking Book library – could be lost. 

While we know that the holidays are busy times for everyone, we urge you to take a moment today to write the Governor (cc’ the leaders) and encourage him to “Spare Public Libraries From The Trigger.”   Please don’t wait until after the first of the year – that will, most assuredly, be too late.

Mail your letter to:
The Honorable Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Governor, State of California
State Capitol, Room, 1173
Sacramento, CA.  95814

Or fax your letter to the Governor:  (916) 558-3160, or for instructions on how to email the Governor, please go to www.gov.ca.gov and click on the “contact” section.

CC’s to the following

The Honorable Darrell Steinberg                                     
Senate President pro Tempore
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 205                                                    
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Or fax:  (916) 323-2263      

The Honorable Bob Dutton
Senate Minority Leader
California State Senate                                                     
State Capitol, Room 305
Sacramento, CA.  95814                                       
Or fax:  (916) 327-2272

The Honorable John A. Perez                                          
Speaker of the California State Assembly                     
State Capitol, Room 219                                                    
Sacramento, CA.  95814                                                   
Or fax:  (916) 319-2146      

The Honorable Connie Conway
Assembly Republican Leader
State Capitol, Room 3104
Sacramento, CA.  95814   
Or fax:  (916) 319-2134

Thank you for your help!


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Congratulations to San Jose!


IMLS Announces the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service Recipients

October 25, 2011
 
 
IMLS Announces the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IMLS Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov
Natasha Marstiller, nmarstiller@imls.gov

Award Recognizes Innovative Approaches to Public Service and Community Outreach
Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has selected five libraries and five museums to receive the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries for extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions. Recipients must demonstrate innovative approaches to public service and community outreach.

"Congratulations to each of these organizations on receiving the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The work they have accomplished is an inspiration to libraries and museums throughout the nation," said Susan Hildreth, IMLS Director. "With innovation, creativity and a great deal of heart they have achieved an outstanding level of public service."

The winners of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service are selected each year by the Director of IMLS, following an open nomination process and based on the recommendations of the National Museum and Library Services Board.

The award was created to celebrate the vital role museums and libraries play in American society and is awarded to institutions that have developed innovative ways to serve their communities. Recipients of the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service are:
  1. Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA
To learn more about the 2011 winners of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service view the brochure or visit www.imls.gov/medals.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Credo Reference End-of-Year Specials


Please note this additional discount on Credo Reference for orders that come in before the end of the year.  If you'd like a quote, let me know.

New subscriptions to Credo General Reference will receive the following discount of their first year subscription subsequent renewals will be at the standard consortium discount:

Subscribe by:
15 November 2011, receive 30% discount
30 November 2011, receive 25% discount
15 December 2011, receive 20% discount

Free trials and demos are available and members can find more information here: http://corp.credoreference.com/introduction/new-to-credo.html

Credo General Reference is now up to 570 titles and 10,000 Topic Pages so this is a great time to take advantage of this special pricing.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A to Z Databases and Atomic Learning


1) We are looking at putting together a review committee to review A to Z Databases for a review we'd publish on our website.  How it works is that you tell me that you'd like to be on the committee, and then I send you the questions that need to be answered/areas ranked.  You use the trial and give a score to each area outlined in the questions,  and then I compile all the scores and get an average, and put in sample comments - confidentially - below each score.  If you'd like to be part of this, and can give a thoughtful review by November 10, please let me know.  And thank you!

2)  We are considering working with Atomic Learning.  They compete with Lynda.com to provide training on software both inside the library, and remotely from home.  I have trial codes that I can pass out, so if you are interested, please let me know.  I look forward to any feedback our members might have on this company and their product.  You can view their flyer and the applications covered in their library product by viewing the flyers available here:
General flyer with list pricing: http://califa.org/uploadfiles/atomicflyer.pdf
Programs/applications covered: http://califa.org/uploadfiles/atomicapplications.pdf

Member Savings Report for 2010-2011



We just completed the 2010-2011 Member Savings Report, and it's on our website where you can see what individual library's (including yours) saved through their membership.  http://www.califa.org/membersavings.php

Califa members saved more than $4 million by ordering through Califa last year - every time you order through us, you make the consortium and all the member libraries stronger.  Thanks for remembering to consider Califa when making your purchasing decisions.

If you have questions about the report, let me know.  And if you haven't saved as much as you'd like, let's set up a time to talk about what products you buy regularly, what you're looking at adding, and how we can help.

Monday, October 17, 2011

OCLC FirstSearch update


Many of you were able to attend one of the recent webinars on changes to the FirstSearch WorldCat and CalCat subscriptions for California libraries.   The deadline for subscribing at the same discount the State Library received is October 28, 2011. 

To obtain pricing for your library or to place your order, please contact Carol Schlatter of OCLC at 800-848-5878, ext. 6083 or schlattc@oclc.org.  

If you have additional questions about these services, please contact Paul Cappuzzello, OCLC Senior Library Services Consultant at 800-848-5878, ext. 6258 or cappuzzp@oclc.org.

For those of you that were unable to attend , you may view the PowerPoint presentation at http://www5.oclc.org/downloads/webinars/California_FS_09052011.pdf

OCLC also has prepared a list of frequently asked questions about these changes which may viewed at

If you were unable to attend the session, you may listen to the recording:


Please note that this recording is in the Universal Communications Format (UCF) rich media file format. Visit https://oclc.webex.com/oclc/systemdiagnosis.php to view a list of players that support viewing rich media files using UCF.  

Saturday, October 15, 2011

From the State Library


Please forward this information to your member libraries. Thanks. More info is in the attached document.

In 2008, the Commission on the Status of Women and then-Assembly member Lois Wolk asked the California State Library through its California Research Bureau (CRB) to administer a survey to California women veterans. This survey led to “California’s Women Veterans: The Challenges and Needs of Those Who Served,” a 2009 report that provided insight to state legislators on the service barriers to California women veterans.

The Commission and California Department of Veterans Affairs is now requesting that CRB assist them in assessing the progress that has been made since the earlier survey, as well as identifying new needs.

How libraries can help:
- print out and post the attached flyers or make copies available
- forward this information to community organizations that assist veterans
- if possible, put the link to the survey on their website thru 12/31/11

The survey is online at : 


A printable copy of the full survey is available at:

Friday, October 14, 2011

New Califa Vendor: A to Z Databases


Many of you have asked us to work with A-Z Databases.  I'm happy to say that we're looking to get things kicked off with an offer of special pricing through the end of the year.  More details of threshold discounts will follow, but for now, there is a trial available on the Califa site (www.califa.org -->Members --> Internal Documents - you will need your Califa login/pw here - email me if you don't have it).

If you are already a subscriber of Reference USA, the price is guaranteed to be at least 45% lower than what you pay RefUsa.  If you're not a current RefUsa subscriber, I can get you a quote.

Please let me know if you have any questions.


PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

Premier Reference and Marketing Database including 30 million business profiles & 220 million residents along with databases of New Home Owners, New Movers and New Businesses.  Ideal for sales leads, mailing lists, market research, employment opportunities, finding friends and relatives, and much more!

Update Frequency: Monthly
Format: Web
Output: QR code, Email, Print or Download

AtoZdatabases is the premier reference and marketing database marketed to Library, Academic, and Government institutions throughout the U.S. This simple, user-friendly, web-based solution provides details on every business and every household within the U.S.