• CAROL HENDRIX, Administration

Annual Meeting Deadline

Deadline extension for registering for the FLLS Annual Meeting is October 2^nd. Please call, email or send me your registration form by our delivery or the US mail.  Contact me if you have any questions at ext. 21. 

Thanks.

  

• MARISA IACOBUCCI, Adult Services Coordinator

Playaways Have a Pop-Up Lanyard Hook!

While recently reading a library newsletter, I noticed an ad for Playaways that showed two people listening to them while they were around their necks!  Upon exploring further, I realized that each device has a small pop-up lanyard hook at the top, or narrow end, of the device.  This is the first time I’ve seen an ad showing this!  See picture below….and please share this information with your patrons.  I’ll keep you updated if I find out any more little goodies….

 

 

 SurveyMonkey

Just a reminder that SurveyMonkey  is available to all member libraries for use in any survey/questionnaire needs they might have.  If you have questions, have misplaced your login and password, or just need help devising a specific survey, please feel free to contact me.  (marisa@flls.org; ext. 26)

  Multiple Disc DVD Sets 

Many libraries are now receiving multiple disc sets of DVDs in their deposit collections.  If you are unsure about which discs go with which cases when checking them out, your best bet is to match the number that is on the disc with the last four digits of the bar code on the case.  This will insure that you’ve got the correct match.

 If you have any questions, please contact Malia Newby, ext. 24, malia@flls.org; or Marisa, ext. 26, marisa@flls.org.

 

• JAN AGUIRRE, Specialist & Training Coordinator

 Polaris Tip of the Week

I have noticed a few enhancements since the upgrade on 9/26. Polaris is in the process of creating a complete list of changes and enhancements but until then, this is what I have discovered so far.

There is now an icon or menu option to change the due date of an item that has been checked out. In the Checkout window after scanning the item, you remember it was supposed to have a special due date. Instead of using the “Special Renew” option, you can now click on the “Reset Due Date” button. This displays a calendar and allows you to change the due date of the highlighted item. This should NOT be used in lieu of a renewal but only for those times when you forget to set the “Special Due date” prior to checking the item out.

 

 

 

This can also be done in Patron Status

 

Another change I noticed was the ability to replace a barcode at “Check In” after the item is checked in. Let’s say you notice a barcode is missing. You check the item in using the “Find Tool” to locate the item. Then with the item highlighted in the “Check In” window, select “Replace Barcode”

 

A window displays allowing you to scan in the new barcode and save it. This can only be done on items YOU own.

 

You can also at this point, change the Circulation Status. Let’s say you notice the item you just checked in needs to be repaired. After highlighting the item, click on the “Manage Item Record” icon.

 

This window displays. By placing a checkmark in the box, the drop down menu is activated, allowing you to change the circulation status and shelving location. This also can only be done on items YOU own. The only statuses you can change it too are “In-Repair, Bindery, or Unavailable.”  

Don’t forget to save it.

 

The missing icons on the Shortcut Bar now display. They are the “Hold Requests” icon which brings up the Find Tool allowing you to search for Hold Requests and the “ILL Requests” icon which brings up the Find Tool allowing you to search for ILL Requests

Watch the bulletin for more changes as they are discovered!

 

• LINDA BEINS, ILL/Reference Coordinator

 READERS’ ADVISORY SERVICE - BookLetters

Would your patrons like to know about the most recently published mysteries? TCPL has recently subscribed to the Readers’ Advisory Service, BookLetters. Bookletters delivers reading list newsletters directly to your email to help you stay up-to-date on new and noteworthy books.

Click on BookLetters and choose newsletters that highlight TCPL Staff Picks for fiction and non-fiction, audiobooks, book club choices, NY Times bestsellers, mystery, new fiction, romance, and science fiction/fantasy. You will receive book jacket illustrations, reviews and summaries about selected titles. TCPL’s Bookletters also has links to booklists for adults and teens, BookPage reviews and an Author Directory that includes interviews and summaries of their work. You do not need a TCPL library card to subscribe. Share this information with your staff and patrons.

For more information about BookLetters, contact Sarah Glogowski at (607) 272-4557 extension 255 or call the Adult Reference Desk directly at (607) 272-4556.

 

DATABASES

What is a library database? The Hennepin County (Minneapolis, MN) Public Library’s (HCPL) webpage describes a library database as having information from published works; searchable by keywords, subject, author, etc.; with citation information; and generally with full text that can be saved, emailed, or printed. The table (below) created by HCPL points out the differences between databases and the internet. This may be helpful as you make your patrons aware of the databases available through your library. (Hennepin County Databases vs. the Internet, accessed 09/27/2007)

 How is a library database different from a website?

Library databases	websites
Library databases get their information from professionals or experts in the field.	Websites can be written by anyone regardless of expertise.
Library databases contain published works where facts are checked.	Website content is not necessarily checked by an expert.
Library databases are easy to cite in a bibliography and may create the citation for you.	Websites often don’t provide the information necessary to create a complete citation.
Library databases can help you narrow your topic or suggest related subjects.	Websites often aren’t organized to support student research needs.
Library databases are updated frequently and include the date of publication.	Websites may not indicate when a page is updated.

Databases – Learning Express                   

 

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION OF THE WEEK How is the use of the modified 727 aircraft G-Force One trying to inspire middle-school aged children to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematic careers?

 

The Northrop Grumman Foundation along with the Zero Gravity Corporation has developed the Weightless Flights of Discovery program where math or science middle-school teachers or college students, majoring in education, can experience and conduct experiments in temporary weightless conditions comparable to what would be experienced during space travel to the Moon (1/6^th G) or Mars (1/3 G) and 0 G. The teachers then use videotapes of these experiences to demonstrate scientific phenomena and principles to the students in the classroom.

 Sources:

1.      www.npr.org [“Teachers try weightlessness for science and fun”, Morning Edition, Sept. 17, 2007];

2.   www.northropgrumman.com/community/weightless.html

3.      “Move over Peter Pan” by Saravia, Adrian. Hispanic; Jun/Jul2007, Vol. 20 Issue 6, p. 26; Database: MasterFile Premier

  

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION OF THE WEEK  The full moon you saw on September 26 this year is called the harvest moon. How much do you know about this autumnal harbinger? Let's find out. True or false:

1. The harvest moon is the largest and brightest full moon of the year.
2. It lingers in the evening sky for several nights longer than the average full moon.
3. It got its moniker from farmers using its light for late-evening harvesting.
4. The idea for the Halloween pumpkin originated with the harvest moon since it looks like an illuminated pumpkin when it is near the horizon.
5. The harvest moon is always the full moon in September.

[From: “Harvest moon rising”. By: Dickinson, Terence, Canadian Geographic, 07062168, Sep/Oct2002, Vol. 122, Issue 5; Database: Science Reference Center]

 

• ANNETTE BIRDSALL, Youth Services Consultant

Teen Spaces Makeover Contest

The deadline is November 1, so you have plenty of time to submit your application, and I encourage all of you to apply (2 have to date)!  You may gain some valuable insight specific to your large/small, old/new, well-designed/poorly designed, dream/real teen space, and you may win the grand prize of $500 in DEMCO products, $500 in reimbursements for your renovations and a one-year subscription to E*vanced online summer reading software.  This contest is for all of our members and will be relevant to everyone.  Apply; then call or email to reserve your spot in the workshop.  Please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, need a new application, or for any reason have decided not to apply so I can convince you otherwise ☺  See you at the workshop on December 13^th! http://www.flls.org/youth/Teen%20Spaces%20Flyer.pdf