Tuesday, April 15, 2014

California Emerging Technology Fund Names Linda Crowe 2014 Broadband Champion

Peninsula Library System Leader Acts to Close the Digital Divide

Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA – March 26, 2014 – The California Emerging Technology Fund is pleased to announce Linda Crowe, Executive Director of the Peninsula Library System (San Mateo County) and Califa, a consortium of more than 220 California public libraries, is a 2014 Broadband Champion.  Fifteen individuals are being recognized for their groundbreaking work and strong commitment to close the Digital Divide.  

The Champions were selected in consultation with dozens of broadband leaders, community advocates and state and local policymakers.  The 15 individuals are featured in the California Emerging Technology Fund 2013-2014 Annual Report and will be recognized at events in San Francisco on March 27 and in Pasadena on May 19. 

“We congratulate Linda and all of the Broadband Champions.  From El Centro to Silicon Valley, from Hollywood to Humboldt, they are representatives of trailblazers who work throughout California and beyond to point the way for policymakers to understand the opportunities afforded by information technology and high-speed Internet access,” said CETF President and CEO Sunne Wright McPeak.  “The Champions also share the moral imperative not to leave anyone behind or offline.  Each of these individuals inspires us to act to close the Digital Divide,” she said.   Photo of Linda Crowe and the full list of recipients are available on request. 

Linda Crowe:  Moving California Libraries into the Digital Age

Linda Crowe understands the power of networks.  She serves as Executive Director of the Peninsula Library System, which includes Silicon Valley cities, and of Califa, a consortium of more than 220 California public libraries.  A pioneer on national and state digital initiatives, including leading a national task force focused on equal access to electronic resources, Linda for a decade has worked to develop a library network for California. In 2012, the state’s academic-based network agreed to invite public libraries, but then the State Library budget was slashed.  Undeterred, Linda and others conducted a “needs assessment,” which showed that 52% of California public libraries had unacceptably slow Internet connections.  Now, the Governor’s proposed budget for 2014-15 includes $3.3 million for upgrading connections to join the network.  Linda is not looking back:  Instead she asks “What’s next?” and “How can we make it better?” 

California Emerging Technology Fund Announces 2014 Broadband Champions

Honoring 15 Individuals Who Act to Close the Digital Divide

Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA – March 26, 2014 – The California Emerging Technology Fund is pleased to announce the 2014 Broadband Champions.  Fifteen individuals are being recognized for their groundbreaking work and strong commitment to close the Digital Divide. 

The Champions were selected in consultation with dozens of broadband leaders, community advocates and state and local policymakers.  The 15 individuals are featured in the California Emerging Technology Fund 2013-2014 Annual Report and will be recognized at events in San Francisco on March 27 and in Pasadena on May 19.

“We congratulate the Broadband Champions.  From El Centro to Humboldt, from Hollywood to San Francisco, they are representatives of trailblazers who work throughout California and beyond to point the way for policymakers to understand the opportunities afforded by information technology and high-speed Internet access,” said CETF President and CEO Sunne Wright McPeak.  “The Champions also share the moral imperative not to leave anyone behind or offline.  Each of these individuals inspires us to act to close the Digital Divide,” she said.  
Photos of recipients and full stories for each are available on request.

2014 Broadband Champions (in alphabetical order)
Ø  Richard Abisla:  Making Tech Training His Mission
Technology Manager, Mission Economic Development Agency, San Francisco
Richard developed the first broadband adoption program at MEDA, which has blossomed into an ambitious goal to ensure every family in the Mission District has access to a computer and high-speed Internet at home.
Ø  Cecilia Aguiar-Curry:  Leaving No Winters Child Behind
Mayor of Winters, Yolo County
Schoolchildren in the Sacramento Valley town of Winters are getting the latest technology at school from a generous grant, but many still have no Internet access when they go home.  Cecilia is making parent engagement a top priority and is now working to get families connected to broadband at home.     

Ø  Gerardo Alvarez, Israel Lara:  Putting Parlier Students at the Head of the Class
Gerardo Alvarez, Superintendent of Parlier Unified School District; Israel Lara, President, Youth Centers of America, Parlier
Gerardo and Israel arranged to distribute 900 new iPad tablets – one to every Parlier High School student – just days before Christmas 2013.  Each tablet has a hotspot so families now can get online at home.

Ø  Connie Barrington:  Building Broadband Oases in the Desert
Imperial County Librarian,  El Centro
Connie is the spark for connecting hundreds of residents in rural desert farming communities to the online world, and she helped land a reading and literacy grant designed to get 1,300 young students reading proficiently by the 3rd grade.

Ø  Damary Bustos:  Finding Her Voice Through Technology
Youth Disability Rights Activist, Disability Action Network for Youth and Yo! Disabled & Proud, Alameda County
Born with cerebral palsy, Damary uses technology that enables her to attend college and follow her passion to advocate for disability rights.  Her story underscores how access to broadband communication can open up new worlds and enable a remarkable young woman to be heard.

Ø  Linda Crowe:  Moving California Libraries into the Digital Age
Executive Director, Califa and the Peninsula Library System, San Mateo County
Linda has worked for more than a decade on the local, state and national level to develop technology resources of libraries.  Her recent advocacy is focused on securing state funds for upgrading connections and allowing California libraries to network more easily.

Ø  Eric Cutright and Paul Romero:  Bringing 21st Century Technology to Tribes
Eric Cutright, Karuk Tribe Informational Technology Director; Paul Romero, Yurok Tribe Information Service Director, Humboldt County
After years of  living with unmet promises for reliable telecommunications systems, the Karuk and Yurok tribes joined efforts to launch the Klamath River Rural Broadband Initiative Project.  When completed, more than 600 unserved and underserved households will be connected. 

Ø  Marilyn Friedman:  Drawing Inspiration from Young Animators.
Volunteer, The ACME Network, Los Angeles
As former head of outreach for DreamWorks Animation, Marilyn matched budding animators, many of whom attended low-performing Los Angeles schools, with Hollywood professionals.  She also spearheaded the donation of more than 1,400 DreamWorks computers to The ACME Network, which sponsors the career-building program.


Ø  Susan Hildreth:  Turning Libraries into Innovation Centers
Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Washington, D.C.
A former California State Librarian, Susan was appointed in 2011 by President Obama to lead the Institute.  In this national leadership role, Susan and her team are recognized internationally for using technology to offer engaging experiences for lifelong learners and turn libraries into centers of innovation.

Ø  Arlene Krebs:  Using Technology to Transform Lives
Founding Director, Wireless Education and Technology Center, CSU Monterey Bay
Arlene understands how technology can transform lives by providing access to new opportunities.  Leading a number of broadband adoption programs in Monterey County, Arlene is promoting digital inclusion for the homeless, unemployed, students and veterans.

Ø  Rick Miller and Jay McPhail:  Pioneering Computers in the Classroom
Rick Miller, Former Superintendent Riverside Unified School District (now Superintendent, Santa Ana Unified School District); Jay McPhail, Former Director of Innovation, RUSD (now Chief Technology Officer, Fullerton School District)
Rick and Jay are pioneers in bringing technology to the classroom.  Beyond placing computers in Riverside middle schools, in partnership with the CETF-sponsored School2Home program they focused on implementing critical teacher and parent training to ensure a successful program.

Ø  Dewanna Slaughter:  Connecting Her Community to Broadband
Teacher, Frick Middle School, Oakland
Dewanna wants her students to succeed academically and to be productive contributors to society.  That motivation leads her to involve parents in the learning process through the School2Home program, which supports student and family engagement with technology in the classroom and at home.  Once a student at Frick herself, Dewanna has helped 300 Frick families gain Digital Literacy training and home broadband. 

About the California Emerging Technology Fund
The mission of CETF is to close the Digital Divide in California by breaking down barriers to high-speed Internet access at home.  The goal is to reach 98% of all residences with broadband infrastructure and to achieve 80% home adoption by 2017.  This statewide goal can only be accomplished if the following specific hard-to-reach target communities achieve at least a 70% adoption rate:   low-income populations, Latino households, rural communities, and people with disabilities. For more information, please visit www.cetfund.org.


Thursday, April 3, 2014

Reader's Advisory Workshops with Duncan Smith Creator of NoveList

Whether your library has a fully-staffed readers’ advisory department or is just beginning to explore how to bring RA to your library, this program will provide essential information on how libraries are currently engaging and serving readers. 

Join Duncan as he explores a reader-centric model for delivering this high-value service. He will review the results of a recent Library Journal survey and its conclusions about the health of readers’ advisory service in public libraries 
(see the February 1, 2014 issue of LJ for an article about the survey http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2014/02/library-services/the-state-of-readers-advisory/). 

You’ll leave the workshop with an understanding of how your library measures up to national trends as well as specific ideas for taking your library’s reader services to the next level. 

The workshops are free, however registration is required.
To register: http://bit.ly/1hUT9xz

April 22, 2014
10:00 am to 12 noon
Glendale Public Library
222 East Harvard, Glendale CA 91205

April 22,  2014
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Whittwood Branch Library
10537 Santa Gertrudes Ave., Whittier, CA 90603​

April 24, 2014
9:00 am to 11:00 am
Koret Auditorium
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin St., San Francisco, 94102​

April 24, 2014
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
PLS Headquarters
2471 Flores Street, San Mateo, CA 94403


If you are interested in a quote for NoveList Complete: 
 http://www.ebsco.com/promo/califa-novelist-complete



Wednesday, April 2, 2014

A Message From Greg Lucas, California’s New State Librarian


I wanted to briefly introduce myself and say thanks for the welcome and encouragement I’ve received from California’s library community. I’m excited by the chance to help advance literacy and draw attention to the contributions of libraries and librarians throughout the state.
The State Library is an amazing, 164-year-old institution whose staff shares a commitment to California’s past and its future.
In the immediate future, my primary focus is approval of the governor’s $2.25 million budget proposal to link public libraries to the not-for-profit Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California. I’m not an acronym fan but the high-speed broadband system is routinely referred to as CENIC. Created by the University of California, CENIC’s other members include the state university system, California’s community colleges and public schools.
As someone said on a conference call the other day, hooking up to CENIC is a “game changer” for libraries. A State Library needs assessment on high-speed broadband finds that 70 percent of California’s public libraries have connectivity that is more limited than the typical American home– not exactly redefining lickety-split for the 21st Century.
If the response is sluggish for a handful of people, imagine what’s it like for dozens of simultaneous library users.
This status quo would be almost laughable in the state that’s home to the Silicon Valley and any number of telecommunications marvels, except it’s not funny.
In libraries all over the state, particularly in underserved communities and rural areas, those connections provide lifeline services like job applications, tax forms and medical information to countless Californians.
Over the last few days, I’ve heard various estimates that at least 40 percent and as many as 80 percent of public libraries would see improved Internet speed by hooking up to the network. By any yardstick, that’s way better than the current situation.
Hooking up to such a large broadband network also means CENIC takes care of a lot of the tedious, time-consuming activities that have led some short-staffed libraries to give up on navigating the labyrinth of existing Internet service discount programs. The governor also includes $1 million in his budget to help libraries upgrade their systems to better benefit from the high-speed connection.
The broadband proposal is being considered by legislative budget subcommittees during the week of April 21. Lawmakers send a budget to the governor on or before June 15.
An open book is an open mind.
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Deborah A. Lynch
Communications Officer
California State Library
900 N Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95814
 
(916) 651-6452
 
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