Friday, April 11, 2008

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In this issue:
• From the Desk of Lucy Pana, CEO
• What's in Your Basement?
• TAL Profile: Marinus Swanepoel,University Librarian at the University of Lethbridge
• The Changing Face of Search
• Library Q & A: Cold Lake Public Library
• Readers' Advisory Session: Providing the Services that Readers Want

From the Desk of Lucy Pana, CEO

Much is happening at The Alberta Library this spring, as we welcome new faces, start new projects and plan new directions.

Over the last few weeks we welcomed new staff members for our exciting new Digitization and Language Learning Software Projects. Merrill Kemp is our new Library Digitization Project Coordinator. Read her column on digitization in this issue. Marian Enow joins us on the Language Learning Software Project. She is a graduate from both Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and the University of Windsor in Ontario. Marian previously worked at the Environment Canada Library.

I am also pleased to welcome Amanda Macintosh as the new APLEN Training Librarian. Amanda is a graduate from the University of Alberta. Prior to joining TAL, Amanda worked at North Island College in Courtenay, BC.

As The Alberta Library enters its second decade, it has grown to become a unique and diverse organization. Later this spring we will introduce a new visual identity that better represents The Alberta Library. TAL staff are also working on a new, more user-friendly website. Many of you provided useful feedback on our recent website survey, which was valuable in our planning process. We’re looking forward to ‘going live’ with the new site in the coming months.

I also look forward to catching up with many of you at the Alberta Library Conference in Jasper later this month. It looks like it's going to be another interesting event. I hope to see you there.

What's in Your Basement?

By Merrill Kemp, The Alberta Library Digitization Project Coordinator.

The Internet has had a major impact on the way we view information today and has provided libraries with a whole new venue to reach out to library users. Libraries have long been cultural and historical repositories for our communities, storing documents that tell the story of Alberta. By making digital images of objects and resources with a scanner or a digital camera, we can preserve these important chapters that make up our history.

>> Read More

TAL Profile: Marinus Swanepoel,University Librarian at the University of Lethbridge

Marinus Swanepoel speaks about his career.

What drew you to your profession?

I knew I wanted to be a librarian before I left high school and what drew me to the profession is the realization that a library can be a great equalizer in life: Knowledge is power and knowledge and information is abundantly available at libraries and if used, it can help level the playing field of life to a large extent.

>> Read More

The Changing Face of Search

By Christina Wilson, Emerging Technologies Librarian at The Alberta Library.

Search is evolving, powered by increasingly sophisticated audio and visual interfaces. At a "Top Ten Technology Trends" session at the 2008 Ontario Library Association (OLA) Conference, Casey Bisson, Library Information Technologist at Plymouth State University, predicted that the familiar search box and its blinking cursor, while a powerful tool to date, will disappear soon. Below are a few of the currently available technologies that Bisson envisions could change how library users search library resources.

>> Read More

Library Q & A: Cold Lake Public Library

Mary Anne Penner, Director of Cold Lake Public Library, tells us what her library is up to.

What area is changing the fastest in your library?

The area changing the fastest is technology. People wish to use an increasing amount of varying technologies on the premises. We have requests for wireless access (which we will be providing shortly) and access to the video-conferencing suite. Also, users can now use the accessible workstation, which has the ability to scan and speak for those who need that capability. We are also exploring opportunities for downloadable books, various training units for patrons and podcasting within the library of library events.

>> Read More

Readers' Advisory Session: Providing the Services that Readers Want

Duncan Smith, the founder of NoveList will be in Calgary to present a Readers' Advisory session, "Providing the Services that Readers Want", on May 20, 2008. Duncan, who will be joining us from North Carolina is passionate about readers' advisory.

Using recently shot videos of interviews with readers, NoveList founder Duncan Smith will explore ways that libraries can create both engaging experiences and services that lead readers to new authors and titles while deepening readers' relationships with books and libraries.

The session will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:

Fish Creek Branch, Calgary Public Library 1161 Bonaventure Drive SE (SE corner of South Centre Shopping Centre, across the street from the Family Leisure Centre) Calgary, Alberta

This event is open to staff of TAL member libraries. There is no registration fee.

Space is limited. To reserve a space, please RSVP by Friday, May 2, 2008 via email to Christa Foley.

This session is proudly offered by Calgary Public Library and The Alberta Library.

April 2008

On the Calendar

April 24-27, Alberta Library Conference 2008, Jasper Park Lodge

April 18, AGM and Board of Directors Meeting, Calgary

Feedback

We welcome your feedback! Please send questions and comments to Janis Galloway.

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