California Public Libraries and CENIC

Despite the recognized benefits of and increasing patron demand for innovative library programs, limited connectivity often prevents librarians in the California State Library System from offering programs and services they perceive would be of value to their patrons. Videoconferencing, streaming media, content creation, specialized software, longer sessions on terminals, and unlimited wireless access are badly needed by many of California's libraries, but insufficient bandwidth thwarts these libraries' efforts to fulfill their vital role in community research and education. In order to empower libraries -- particularly in challenged areas -- to play this role, better connectivity is crucial. Work is underway to secure funding to connect California's public libraries to CENIC as a sixth segment, with the California State Librarian acting as the libraries' interaction point with CENIC. The Peninsula Library System, a consortium of 35 public and community college libraries, was the first system to connect to CalREN in August of 2013. Final work is also underway to complete a Gigabit connection to the San Francisco Public Library System, a 27-branch library system serving the San Francisco area. The San Joaquin Valley Library System and a group of 9 libraries in the northern Valley of California will be connected in the late fall of 2014. Libraries in California's Central Valley will also be connected to CENIC as part of the Central Valley Next Generation Broadband Infrastructure Project. During the spring and summer of 2013, CENIC conducted interviews with librarians, asking them to describe current uses of technology in their main and branch libraries, identify the obstacles they face as a result of limited bandwidth, and share ideas they have for using expanded broadband capacity to serve their patrons. (The results of these interviews have been compiled in a series of reports available on the CENIC website.) The responses to these interviews revealed a wide variety of connectivity currently available to California's libraries, and an equally wide variety of needs as a result of the diversity of communities served by libraries throughout the state. The Peninsula Library System: Founded in 1971, the Peninsula Library System (PLS) is a consortium of 35 public and community college libraries working together to provide innovative and cost-effective service to their users. Located in Silicon Valley, a region known for technology innovation, PLS library leaders have actively sought out and implemented programs and services that take advantage of the latest technology. For example, the Redwood City Libraries have the highest Internet usage per capita in the country. (These libraries have enjoyed a higher bandwidth than most libraries in the state as San Mateo Community College has enabled them to connect to CENIC's CalREN through the College's own connection.) System-wide there are 1,590 computer terminals and an average of 700 wireless users per day. More than 75,000 searches are conducted on Peninsula Library System terminals annually. Typical patron uses of technology include social networking, watching videos, e-mail, job-seeking and online applications, word processing, catalog search, general Internet research, printing, and participating in online courses. However, despite -- in some ways, because of -- the exemplary broadband-enabled services implemented by these libraries (and further described in the Peninsula Library System Report available on CENIC's website), patrons and the libraries themselves face denials of connectivity, extreme network slowdowns during periods of high usage, saturated connections, and other obstacles created by outdated facilities that prevent patrons and libraries from making full use of the connectivity that they currently have. PLS Director Linda Crowe points out the ability of broadband-enabled libraries to become not only curators but sources of content, saying, "Public libraries in California have been bandwidth-challenged. Once the barriers are removed, libraries will not only be able to provide content in the form of expanded programs and services for the community, but they also will have the ability to create it." The San Francisco Library System: The main library and 27 branches of the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) serve one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country, with an extremely diverse populations including highly connected patrons from high-tech focal points as well as recent immigrants and their families from all over the world. To fulfill its mission to serve them all, the SFPL puts out a variety of programs that can be enhanced by improved connectivity -- and that promise to consume ever more bandwidth as time goes on. Such programs include city-wide scavenger hunts, music and arts performances, presentations by and interviews with top authors, and exhibits of interest to all members of the greater San francisco area's ethnically, linguistically, and economically diverse populations. Computer, healthcare, and career-related classes, rich media presentations, and a packed schedule of children's events only scratch the surface of the ever-expanding list of vital programs with which the SFPL serves the millions of Californians within its scope. The San Joaquin Valley Library System: The San Joaquin Valley Library System is comprised of 10 main libraries and their associated branch libraries in seven counties in the Central Valley of California. In contrast to the more connected population served by the PLS, the communities served by the San Joaquin Valley Library System (SJVLS) have a larger immigrant population and higher rates of poverty than other area of the state. For many residents, English is their second language, and they face high unemployment, obstacles to educational attainment, and a low standard of living relative to other communities in the state. Among the most poorly funded libraries in the state, the San Joaquin Valley libraries play a critical role in providing access to the 21st century tools that can help address these challenges. Technology is essential to this work; however, the libraries in this system generally have extremely limited connectivity, at best on the lower end of today's connection speeds for an average home. Because of this, many programs that could be of greatest help to the communities served by the SJVLS are simply not possible. States Laurel Prysiazny, Director of the Fresno County Public Libraries, "Low educational attainment, unemployment, and ill health are persistent problems in the communities we serve. Libraries level the playing field and allow access to all. In rural areas, libraries are the community center." Porterville Public Library's Vikki Cervantes adds, "Expanded broadband connects library services with the community's technological needs and priorities; especially in a rural area like ours, it bridges the digital divide to help keep our population competitive in the marketplace of today and the future." Despite the obstacles created by extremely limited connectivity, SJVLS librarians are working hard to assist people in taking full advantage of what technology resources the libraries can provide and are eager to gain the connectivity that will permit them to implement badly needed programs. A full list of such programs, as well as a more in-depth look at the obstacles faced by the SJVLS libraries, can be found in the San Joaquin Valley Library System Report available on CENIC's website. Readers of the CENIC Update will be kept informed as to the progress of this project to ensure that California's public libraries have the state-of-the-art connectivity that will enable them to fulfill their vital mission as part of the state's research and education communities. From: cenicupdate, volume 16, Issue 3: Fourth Quarter 2013 http://publications.cenic.org/publications/cenictoday/4Q2013/4Q2013CT_5.html

Califa hosting Toucan Valley Social Studies Fact Cards

The Toucan Valley Social Studies Fact Cards, for which over 1/3 of libraries in California pay a subscription fee to access, will be hosted by Califa starting in January.  The current owner was planning to retire, and our members asked us to take on the hosting, so we will be offering the California cards free of charge to all libraries.  

The new URL is http://factcards.califa.orghttp://factcards.califa.org where you will find the California fact cards.  There is no username or password, and the service is entirely free.

Postponed - Webinar on Immigration Resources for Public Librarians

The webinar, Immigration and Naturalization 101, scheduled for Thursday, December 12, has been postponed.

The presentation is being developed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and is part of an effort to ensure that librarians have the necessary tools and knowledge to refer their patrons to accurate and reliable sources of information on immigration-related topics.

To learn of the new webinar date, sign up for press releases on the IMLS website or register your email address at the USCIS website here.

Immigration Webinars for Public Libraries

On Thursday, December 12, at 12:30 Eastern Time (9:30 Pacific), the Institute for Museum and Library Services will hold the first in a series of free webinars for public libraries about immigration and U.S. citizenship issues. 

The webinar series was developed as part of a federal partnership between IMLS and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)to ensure that librarians have the necessary tools and knowledge to refer their patrons to accurate, reliable sources of information on immigration-related topics.

The webinar is titled “Immigration and Naturalization 101.” Those presenting include Susan Hildreth, IMLS Director;  Rachel Ellis, Branch Chief of the Customer Access Branch, Public Engagement Division, USCIS; and Haleh Holly Taghavi, Management and Program Analyst, Public Engagement Division, USCIS.

For information on how to participate, see http://www.imls.gov/new_federal_webinar_series_explores_immigration_resources_for_public_librarians.aspx.

Califa Saves Libraries Money

Each year we try to quantify the benefits of Califa membership for our libraries, and we are thrilled that we helped save libraries over $4 million in FY 2012-2013! 

A number of Califa Members individually saved over $300,000 for their libraries. These Super Savers hopefully can inspire others to take advantage of all the savings Califa can offer.

We negotiated discounted pricing for some of the most popular products in the library market, with pricing on services ranging from databases to library patron satisfaction surveys.

We organize shared eBook collections for libraries that want to offer new technologies at a consortial price.

We also host popular software on our own servers, cutting down the need for staff time to work with a vendor to set up hosting on a library server.

Check out the 2012/2013 Member Savings Report to make sure your library is getting the most out of your membership dollars.

Additionally, if your library was unable to save money through your Califa membership this year, we'd love to speak with you about ways that you may be able to save next year!

Enki Update

For those of you who saw our presentations at CLA or Internet Librarian, you'll know that the enki platform, the eBook platform created by librarians for librarians, is up and running, and will be available for all Califa members to join in January.  For pricing, email Heather at hteysko@califa.org.

 

The enki team has started a public blog to communicate the updates and new additions to the platform, available at http://enkilibrary.blogspot.com/  Some highlights of new additions this month are: 

 

- there are five new reports in addition to the circulation statistics for your library.  You can now search the most popular titles, a summary of usage for each title, unique users, and top 100 searches.  These reports are available to anyone, whether you're an enki member or not.

 

- the book carousel on the front page of enki now has tabs where you can see different books available in different genres.  The Available Now tab only features books that have copies available.  These tabs allow users to see the breadth of the collection available.

 

- There are now 26 libraries up and running on enki and we're excited to add more Califa members to that growing list.

Full-time Faculty Position at USC

Professor of Clinical Management and Organization

Master of Management in Library and Information Science Program

Marshall School of Business

University of Southern California

Requisition ID: 022060

The Marshall School of Business seeks an outstanding full time faculty member to teach in the Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) degree program.

The faculty member may teach from the Spring (January) Semester 2014. This is a non-tenure track faculty position. Rank is dependent on qualifications and experience.

This position requires firm grounding and experience in management and LIS.

Candidates must demonstrate a combination of skills and confidence that will transform education in library and information science through the integration of leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities across the curriculum.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Working with the Director, Master of Management in Library and Information Science, successful candidates will:

• Design, teach and assess courses for the MMLIS degree program;
• Teach in an a/synchronous online learning environment;
• Assess student learning outcomes;
• Plan, promote, and assess the MMLIS program.
• All MMLIS faculty will be encouraged to make scholarly contributions that advance pedagogy and instructional innovation.
• Successful candidates will be well-recognized and regarded professionals providing demonstrable leadership to the field. These positions are for an a/synchronous online degree program.

Full-time appointments will be for the academic year with flexible contracts to accommodate three semesters of 15-week courses; fall, spring and summer.

Instructional design and media technology assistance will be provided to ensure proficiency in using the program's highly interactive learning management system.

FACULTY APPOINTMENT RANK/SALARY

Rank and salary commensurate are with experience and qualifications. These positions are subject to the requirements and needs of the MMLIS program. Candidates cannot be USC students.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have a terminal degree in Library and Information Sciences or a related field.

A PhD (or equivalent) completed or near completion and a combination of academic/professional qualifications and senior experience appropriate to a graduate academic program offered in management.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

The candidate will have demonstrated:

• Experience developing and teaching academic courses in management and library and information science at the graduate level;
• Experience with teaching or instructional methods and principles, particularly in an online environment;
• Experience assessing student learning outcomes;
• Experience using social media, computer-assisted learning applications, or have previous experience using technology to support instruction and learning;
• Demonstrated skill in responsiveness to diverse student populations;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines;
• Ability to work in a collegial, collaborative environment;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications must be submitted via USC’s online faculty application website:

https://facultypositions.usc.edu/bonita/console/frsSubmission.jsp?postingId=022060

As part of the application, candidates must upload one document file (Word or PDF) that contains, as appropriate, the following: 1) a letter clearly indicating area(s) of specialization and teaching experience, 2) a detailed curriculum vitae, 3) a concise statement of current and future research directions and funding, 4) a sample of teaching evaluations 5) a list of at least four academic/professional references that includes the name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address for each referee, and 6) required supplemental questions (limited to one page for each question): a) briefly describe your reasons for wanting to join the MMLIS team and b) explain the contribution you might make to an evidence-based online graduate school program.

Interested candidates should apply on-line.

For more information about this position, see:

https://jobs.usc.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1383353211984

or contact Dr. Ken Haycock, Search Committee Chair, at ken.haycock@marshall.usc.edu

Closing date for applications: Open until filled.

USC values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment. Women and men, and members of all racial and ethnic groups, are encouraged to apply. Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States.