Library Banter

Nevada Library Association Conference, Elko 2009

2009-11-12T13:30:00.000-08:00

I went to present results from my sabbatical research, unfortunately I only presented to seven people and garnered a big conference planning tip: DO NOT offset workshops.

It went like this:

1:30 - 2:30 Session 1, Session 2, Session 3
1:30 - 3:00 Session 4
1:30 - 4:30 session 5 (a business meeting)

2:30 - 3:45 Session 6
2:45 - 3:45 Session 7
3:15 - 4:30 Session 8
3:15 - 4:30 Session 9

Now you figure out what you'll go to? NOT a good way to maximize attendance, particularly with that big ol business meeting happening. What's particularly funny is that the sessions on Day 1 were synchronized and well planned. I couldn't really believe what was happening. I've never presented to fewer than a couple dozen in years. I get good reviews/evaluations, and this was really surprising. Ah well, at least I tried. The eight of us actually did have a nice session together.

Two great things about this conference. The first was the keynote speaker Nick Arnette, comedian and educator. He spoke about bringing fun into the workplace.

The other fabulous thing was Lamoille Canyon. See more pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/4014767880/in/set-72157622591547636/

PNLA, Missoula 2009

2009-09-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

Favorite Sessions:

Flickr & Digital Image Collections @ Your Library – Jason Clark & Bonnie McCallum, Montana State University: http://www.lib.montana.edu/~jason/talks.php

A terrific session, it covered why they chose Flickr, how they did it, and why it works. I learned a LOT and now need to update my own photos to include geotagging, better descriptions; internal links back to collections/sets, links out to my own pages, and improving search engine indexing. I had no idea that Flickr had statistics for my account. This was probably the most informative/useful session I attended.

Free Yourself from Copyright and Get Creative with Creative Commons – Connie Strittmatter and Rene Tanner, Montana State University

This was another solid session. It included information on what Creative Commons is, is not, and how it works. They showed the youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io3BrAQl3so and I highly recommend it. Other useful links include: http://www.creativecommons.org, and http://wiki.creativecommons.org/FFAQ

My one indulgence was dinner at Ciao Mambo, http://www.ciaomambo.com/ an AMAZING Italian Restaurant on Higgins Ave. in Missoula. I totally recommend the Quattro Formaggio Ravioli and the Zeppolis (bite sized pizza dough, deep fried like donuts, dusted with powdered sugar and served with dipping sauce…)

Bozeman Public Library - Community Room

2009-08-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

Complete with drop down screen, white board, kitchenette, and piano

Bozeman Public Library - Baskets

2009-08-11T09:05:00.002-07:00

An easy way to collect a pile of books for checkout:

Bozeman Public Library - Donor Wall

2009-08-11T09:05:00.001-07:00

Signage honoring donors

Bozeman Public Library - Magazine Exchange

2009-08-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

This is a marvelous idea! The bins are available for people to put magazines they don't want and for others to come by and pick them up, all for free.

Bozeman Public Library - Entrance to Children's Library

2009-08-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

The entrance to the children's section of the library:

Bozeman Public Library - Cell Phone Signage

2009-08-11T08:46:00.001-07:00

This is a terrific sign, helpful and positive it still gets the message across.

Bozeman Public Library - Media Stations

2009-08-11T08:44:00.001-07:00

Nice set up for viewing media:

Bozeman Public Library - Chairs

2009-08-11T08:43:00.001-07:00

Comfy chairs with a great view:

Bozeman Public Library - Cell Phone Recycling

2009-08-11T08:42:00.001-07:00

A great service to provide to the community:

Bozeman Public Library - Cell Phone Recycling

2009-08-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

A great service to provide to the community:

Bozeman Public Library - Signage

2009-08-11T08:39:00.000-07:00

Great way to notify patrons of current activities, easily changed or modified.

Bozeman Public Library - Entryway Sculpture

2009-08-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Lovely statue in the front entry:

Bozeman Public Library - Sustainable Design

2009-08-11T08:30:00.001-07:00

Constructed to LEED standards this sign in the library explains how. Clicking on the picture will take you to the option of viewing the larger size.

University of Arizona - Tucson: Signage

2009-07-21T09:39:00.001-07:00

This size of this library creates the need for this kind of signage. Click on the image to get to the other sizes on my Flickr account.

University of Arizona - Tucson: Info Commons

2009-07-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

The outter edge of the enormous information commons area

Media area of the info commons

Other edge of the info commons

University of Arizona - Tucson: Honoring Donors

2009-07-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

Donor honor wall...

University of Arizona - Tucson: Signage

2009-07-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

It's easy to find a book at the library, just request it and it's put on the hold shelf for you.

University of Arizona - Tucson: Signage

2009-07-21T09:13:00.001-07:00

This is a terrific sign in that the messages are exceedingly clear.

University of Arizona - Tucson

2009-07-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

The entrance to the Library, off to the right under the eaves is the coffee shop.

From the library, looking back to the coffee shop.

The weather in March was fantastic! The open air seating under the eaves provides protection from the sun.

Tucson Public Library

2009-07-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

Some signage speaks for itself.

Tucson Public Library

2009-07-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

Click on photo to go to the larger size on Flickr

This was a great sign for publicizing branch libraries!

Tucson Public Library

2009-07-14T08:47:00.000-07:00

Donor wall, honorarium, thank you ...

Tucson Public Library

2009-07-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

Child size baskets for books.

Flags for signage