In This Issue: 06.27.08
Library Naming Conventions • Badgerlink - New Features • ALA Conference Materials Wiki • Great Early Elementary Reads • "Catch the Reading Bug!" • Travel Web Resources • Useful URLs • Reflection
C A L E N D A R
July 1 Eary Bird registration deadline for Northwest Wisconsin Children’s Book Conference
July 19 NWLS Board of Trustees Meeting, NWLS, 10:00
August 20 Merlin and Directors Meeting, 10:00 - 2:30
August 25
Library 2.0,
NWLS,
10:00 - 2:30
UW-Madison SLIS Continuing Education Summer Camp by the Lake at the Heidel House Resort in Green Lake, WI:
• July 21-25 Collection Development
• August 4 - 8 Basic Reference
C U R R E N T . E V E N T S
Library Naming Conventions
From Michael Sheehan, NWLS - Autocat, a nationwide listserv devoted mainly for library catalogers, has had two interesting discussions this Spring. Earlier in the season, a question was posed on the terminology or jargon describing the people who frequent our libraries. A more recent quandary has been about the proper identification for the library catalog. I’m not sure if librarians are the worst at being sticklers on the precise use of language, but these discussions are bandied about quite often. The March/April 2004 issue of Public Libraries had an article devoted to this same topic, but I will remark on more recent findings.
In addressing the question of who we serve, the responses included such terms as patrons, users, clients, customers, borrowers, readers, and guests. On a bad day, librarians suggest other more colorful phrases, but I digress. Many list subscribers mentioned the negative connections with such terms as user (which implies drug-related contexts, even though LCSH gives “library user” as the appropriate heading), customers (which implies a payment for services), and readers (which implies monographic only enjoyment). Some felt that using terms like reader or borrower make certain assumptions about those using the library. A few preferred clients because of the idea of providing a valuable professional service.
The inconsistency with which we refer to our users speaks largely to a general distaste for our current descriptors. There were mentions of consumers, seekers, and querents as well. Maybe we should make something up or invent a new word. Informatron was suggested, as was custopatrusomer. For those who really enjoy the debate, they may be interested to know that from the responses, patron is still the most prominent (with 28 mentions of use) and is still used most widely despite the archaic or patronizing associations. Rounding second place was user (with 17 mentions of use). The third place ribbon is awarded to customer (with 11 mentions of use).
It is easy to get caught up in the naming while losing sight of the critical element: no matter what we call them, we are indebted to them for giving our jobs purpose and occasionally, a greater interest, be it educational or recreational.
The more recent topic of name calling has been targeted at the library catalog. It appears there is a battle in libraryland (for those hoping to spend some vacation time with the kids, I think it is located a few miles left of Orlando, Florida and reality) between calling the catalog “the OPAC” or “the library catalog.”
The term OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) has been used to differentiate between the old wooden card catalog and the spiffy electronic or online catalog. Some librarians also use the term WebPAC but this does not alleviate the confusion. Other librarians have settled on terms like search engine, discovery tool, and e-catalog, but these are misrepresentative or odd. Many use the name (mascot) of the local catalog to identify it, but this most likely makes more sense to those frequent local users. In order for a generic OPAC-line name to work we must consistently use an accepted term, such as “online catalog.” It is brief and it identifies what it is and how it is connected, and since it is found on the library website, we can deduce it is a library catalog.
In reality, I don't care so much what we call it, so long as people can use it to find the materials and resources they need. My intention was to give us pause to reflect upon something that at first seems so simple, but in fact carries greater importance: universal communication between information clerks and information seekers.
Badgerlink - New Features
From Linda Bailen, NWLS - EBSCOhost 2.0 New Interface: coming July 2008 - The new interface has a Google-like basic search screen and several new features to enhance searching. The basic search screen has a link to “Search Options” to easily change your type of search or limit your search to a specific publication.
The result list in EBSCOhost 2.0 is more user-friendly than the current version. You can easily view an article’s citation by hovering over the magnifying glass icon beside any item in the result list. You can quickly sort the result list by Source Type, Subject, Author or Journal using the left-hand column. A date slide bar on the right side of the screen allows you to easily limit your results by date.
To test drive EBSCOhost 2.0, go to www.badgerlink.net and click on EBSCOhost (All Databases) and then click on the “New Features” link on the top right side of the screen.
TeachingBooks has a new website! Included in the improvements on the new website are: new ways to search; instant support materials for your reading list; and more resources with the collection now exceeding 20,000 multimedia materials. Go to http://teachingbooks.net/relaunch for details on current and upcoming changes.
BadgerLink Songbook Database - To find that favorite old song of yours in the BadgerLink Songbook Database go to http://www.badgerlink.net/index.html and scroll to the bottom of the page, then click into the BadgerLink Songbook Database.
LitFinder Update - In July 2008 Gale CENGAGE Learning will be releasing an updated version of LitFinder. The searching has been simplified and now you can search within results to narrow results even further. Tabbed results help the user find related content. To see the new face for LitFinder and to learn more about updates please visit http://www.gale.cengage.com/LitFinder/.
Are you having trouble accessing Badgerlink? You can log in using library card access. Go to http://www.badgerlink.net/ and choose Library Card Access on the right side of the screen. Then find your library in the list of libraries and choose EBSCO, ProQuest or LitFinder in the row next to your library. Then type in the Patron ID box.
ALA Conference Materials Wiki
From American Library Association, June 17, 2008 - The American Library Association (ALA) is collecting materials presented at this year’s Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif., and making them easier to find online. You will be able to access all materials provided by presenters from the conference, which runs from June 25 to July 2, via the new Conference Materials Wiki at http://presentations.ala.org/. All collateral conference material will be linked from this wiki, which already includes links to last year's materials and similar content from ALA's units.
“We’re really excited at the response we’ve gotten from presenters and program planners,” said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels. “The new wiki means that the attendees, as well as the many ALA members who can’t attend, will now have the ability to access materials on hundreds of exciting and stimulating conference programs.”
Program presenters are invited to post their materials (slides, handouts, bibliographies, etc.) to the Wiki prior to conference. This will ensure attendees immediate access, as well as a valuable opportunity to share their knowledge and insights.
Presenters are also encouraged to include a note to "view or download more information at http://presentations.ala.org/." Those who wish to retain their materials on another site are encouraged to publish links to that content on the Conference Materials Wiki, which is pre-loaded with program titles (taken from the final AC 2008 program book listings).
Speakers at conference will benefit from the site by gaining a venue for uploading handouts or publishing links to materials that reside on other sites. Uploading material also requires fewer printouts and helps the environment.
Attendees will benefit from having instant access to material, while those who cannot attend the conference can be assured of having a place to find conference material, not only this year, but also in the future. Users will also be able to find content from future ALA conferences at this one convenient web address.
Great Early Elementary Reads
From American Library Association - for children who are just learning to read and beginning to read on their own, a list of titles is recommended by the ALSC (The Association for Library Service to Children) 2007-2008 School-Age Programs and Services Committee. The books included were published between 2005 and 2008. However, many are part of a larger series that young readers also will enjoy.
Librarians, educators, and others who work with families are encouraged to download and print the brochure and share it with parents, grandparents, and caregivers in their community.
Book list - PDF (low resolution - 470 KB - best for viewing online) http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/booklists/greatreads_final_lo.pdf
Book list - PDF (high resolution - 10,013 KB - best for downloading and printing) http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/booklists/greatreads_final_hi.pdf
Book list - PDF (Black & white version - 201 KB) http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/booklists/greatreadsbw.pdf
"Catch the Reading Bug!"
Hey everybuggy, don't let your summer fly by without catching the summer reading bug. Beetle on down to your local library to sign up for the summer reading club! Bee sure to check out some of these kids books available on the web in the Merlin library catalog:
Children's Fiction
A frog in the bog / Karma Wilson
Maybelle in the soup / Katie Speck
Bow-Wow bugs a bug / Mark Newgarden
The very greedy bee / by Steve Smallman
Miss Spider's new car / paintings and verse by David Kirk.
Bug Your Mom Day / David Kirk
Miss Spider's Sunny Patch friends. Bug-a-boo day play [videorecording(DVD)]
Happy Heartwood Day / David Kirk
June bugs / written by Sarah Albee
Diary of a spider / by Doreen Cronin
Captain Fact : creepy-crawly adventure / by Knife & Packer.
Eliza and the dragonfly / by Susie Caldwell Rinehart
The story of red rubber ball / written by Constance Levy
Over in the garden / by Jennifer Ward
What does Word Bird see? / by Jane Belk Moncure
The perfect pet / by Margie Palatini
James and the giant peach / Roald Dahl
Elmo's world. Springtime fun [videorecording(VHS)] / Children's Television Workshop
Don't bug me! / by Pam Zollman
Daddy is a doodlebug / Bruce Degen
My day in the garden / by Miela Ford
Snug as a big red bug / written by Frank B. Edwards
Miss Spider's ABC / by David Kirk
A bug's life / adapted by Justine Korman
Spider Kane and the mystery under the may-apple / Mary Pope Osborne
Spider Kane and the mystery at jumbo nightcrawler's / Mary Pope Osborne.
Children's Nonfiction
The world's most dangerous bugs / by Nick Healy
Insect [videorecording(DVD)] / a co-production of BBC Wildvision
Dragonflies / by Emily K. Green
Social insects / Jonathan Sutherland.
Beastly bugs / Lynn Huggins-Cooper
Ant lions and lacewings / text by Elaine Pascoe
Carnivorous plants / text by Elaine Pascoe
Minibeasts / Lynn Huggins-Cooper
Song of the water boatman : & other pond poems / written by Joyce Sidman
1001 bugs to spot / Emma Helborough
Bug hunter / by David Burnie. Burnie
Bug safari / Bob Barner. Barner, Bob.
What's living on your body? / Andrew Solway. Solway
What's living in your classroom? / Andrew Solway. Solway
Everything bug : what kids really want to know about insects and spiders / by Cherie Winner.
Forest explorer : a life-size field guide / Nic Bishop. Bishop
Young naturalist's handbook. Insect-lo-pedia / Matthew Reinhart.Insect-lo-pedia
Insects, bugs, & art activities.
The world of insect life / Gerald Legg
Grasshoppers and their relatives.
Insect facts and folklore / L. Patricia Kite
Bug world / written by Andy Dixon
What is an insect? / by Lola M. Schaefer
T E C H N O L O G Y
Travel Web Resources
Plan your vacation or your next move with the following Web guides:
City Guides
• MSN City Guides: Let this search engine find fun things for you to do.
• Aardvark Travel: Use this site to explore travel sites from around the world. Browse by location, type of vacation, travel activity, flights, hotels and other topics.
• Kayak.com: This aggregate travel search engine finds the lowest air fares, cruise vacations, car rentals and hotel stays available through the Web that match your travel requests.
• Ask City: Search special events, entertainment guides and city maps.
• Mobissimo: Search MobiDeals or enter in your travel information to find attractive airline tickets, hotel reservations and car rentals.
• Trabber.com: Searches 31 different websites for cheap flights based on the schedule you submit.
• Local Search Guide: This mega search engine connects you to local maps and directions, businesses, phone numbers, movie times and weather information.
• Search.Travel: This beta search engine finds information on travel deals and transportation, events and activities, and more.
Jobs and Real Estate
• Hotpads.com: Find homes and apartment listings for sale or for rent around the country.
• RightMove: This UK-based site will direct you to properties for sale or rent, including vacation homes and properties in places like France, Spain and Bulgaria.
• trulia: This smart search engine finds homes for sale by zip code or city and state. You can also find movers, moving tips and more on this comparative shopping site.
• WhereToLive.com: WhereToLive.com is "the real estate search engine," letting you search homes on an interactive map.
Maps
• Ride Finder: Hook up with taxi, limousine and shuttle services through this search tool which uses GPS data from vehicles in 14 US cities. Users will access the program through Google Maps.
• Transit: Those taking public transportation can explore their options with this mapping tool using Google Maps.
• Bikely: Cyclists share knowledge of good bicycle routes.
• Mom's Minivan: Taking a roadtrip with kids? Don't leave without checking out this site's 101 ideas for fun things for kids to do in the car.
U S E F U L . U R Ls
Insectclopedia
This comprehensive site about the world of insects ranges from identification to bug cuisine.
URL:
http://www.insectclopedia.com
Children’s Butterfly
A delightful site for children with information and activities. Includes bibliographies of books and videos on butterflies.
URL: http://bsi.montana.edu/web/kidsbutterfly/
R E F L E C T I O N
"Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar."
- Bradley Millar
Contact NWLS for subscription services or to submit an article for publication: email Marsha at newsletter@nwls.lib.wi.us or call 715-682-2365.
NWLS: 3200 E. Lake Shore Dr. • Ashland, WI 54806 • Phone: (715)682-2365 • Web: http://nwls.wislib.org • Serving libraries in Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer, Vilas and Washburn Counties.
