Wednesday, November 14, 2007

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In this issue:
• TAL named Sun Microsystems Centre of Excellence for Libraries - digital collections
• TAL welcomes Red Crow Community College
• Accessing the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library resources
• KPMG report updates key issues
• Netspeed keynote speakers take a fresh look at technology
• Thank you to the AACL
• TAL celebrates 10 years
• Emerging Technologies: a moveable feast
• Action still called for on Library Book Rate
• Committee Reports

TAL named Sun Microsystems Centre of Excellence for Libraries - digital collections

Earlier this year, Sun Microsystems named The Alberta Library (TAL) a Centre of Excellence for Libraries focusing on digital collections – the first of its kind in Canada. This three-way partnership with Sun Microsystems Inc., the University of Alberta Libraries, and The Alberta Library, will support and promote the work of the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library initiative. The partnership will also assist with the development of an information technology infrastructure that enhances TAL’s support of post secondary libraries, public libraries and public library systems across the province.

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TAL welcomes Red Crow Community College

Red Crow Community College has become the first First Nations post-secondary institute in the province to gain membership in The Alberta Library.

The milestone is particularly impressive since Red Crow Community College’s original library was destroyed by fire in 2001. It took five years to rebuild the library from scratch.

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Accessing the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library resources

The successful launch of the Lois Hole Campus Alberta Digital Library (LHCADL) on September 28th garnered considerable media coverage across the province, with print, radio and TV stories running from Lethbridge to Lac La Biche.

The natural result is that Albertans are wondering how they can access the digital resources in their community through their local library.

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KPMG report updates key issues

A new report commissioned by The Alberta Library provides a snapshot of key issues affecting public libraries across the province. The KPMG Alberta Public Libraries 2007 Environmental Scan builds on some of the issues identified in the company’s 2004 report.

Conducted over the summer, the environmental scan included interviews with 16 stakeholders to gather information and opinions, along with a literature and data review.

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Netspeed keynote speakers take a fresh look at technology

Netspeed 2007 featured keynote speakers who challenged conference participants to look at technology in new and thoughtful ways.

Jenny Levine (right), Internet Development Specialist and Strategy Guide for the American Library Association, kicked off the conference by exploding one of the enduring myths about gamers: they’re not all boys duking it out in games such as Mortal Kombat and Doom.

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Thank you to the AACL

The Alberta Library would like to thank the Alberta Association of College Librarians for its generous sponsorship of Netspeed 2007. AACL’s participation in and support of the conference has always been greatly appreciated.

TAL celebrates 10 years

Netspeed 2007 participants took time out to celebrate a true milestone – the 10th anniversary of The Alberta Library.

Board Chair Keith Walker noted that while TAL was officially created in 1997, it was the result of four years of community consultation and planning.

Keith thanked everyone for the countless volunteer hours they have put into The Alberta Library over the years, and for their commitment to the principles of partnership and cooperation.

"There is a great story here – a story of how people came together because they believed so much in the services they offered their institutions and their communities," Keith said.

(Right: TAL CEO Lucy Pana and Board Chair Keith Walker cut the 10th anniversary cake.)

Emerging Technologies: a moveable feast

Welcome to the first of what will be a regular column discussing the use of various technologies in Alberta’s libraries.

With apologies to Ernest Hemingway, I have subtitled the column "a moveable feast" because I find this to be a useful metaphor when describing the rapid emergence of so many new technology choices for libraries to consider. We are faced with so many tools and so little time to investigate, compare and decide what works best in our libraries’ environments for enabling access to content and improving services. Fortunately, I enjoy feasting, whether on actual food or on tools, ideas and approaches. I particularly enjoy foods, and technologies, that really stick with me and nourish. And so, for me, the most exciting tools are those that enable access to content, give value to services and help us all be more efficient in managing tasks. Those technologies that, when layered another application or device, really improve the overall tool are the "double, double", to borrow a coffee culture term.

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Action still called for on Library Book Rate

While it is pleased with Canada Post’s announcement of no increase to the Library Book Rate for 2008, the Canadian Library Association (CLA) says it will continue its strong support for a Private Member’s Bill amending postal rates for library materials.

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Committee Reports

The following Standing Committees met over the past month: Alberta Public Library Electronic Network (October 12th), Finance (October 17th), Advocacy (October 25th) and Governance (October 30th). Executive Committee met on November 5th. Reports will be presented at the November 23rd Board Meeting.

November 2007

On the calendar

November 23 -- Fall Board Meeting (Edmonton)

Feedback

The Alberta Library Communications Team wants to hear from you. Please send your comments and suggestions on TAL Tales to Bill Rice.

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