New Library System possible

Post from PLS-Listserv
With Permission from Jennifer Morris (PLS- Director)

Hello all,
as you may know, we have many frustrations with our current
Integrated Library System (ILS) -- Sirsi/Workflows. We are very
concerned about the increasing costs involved, and there are many
features we believe could be improved.

Evergreen, an open source ILS, is a possible alternative. In order to
bring you up to date on our explorations, we will hold an Open Forum on
Friday, Feb. 27. We’ve developed a short Best/Worst of WorkFlows OWWL
survey to get your input ahead of time. We will use the results to
compare features of our current Sirsi ILS with Evergreen; discuss what a
migration would entail and seek input on next steps. Please plan to join
us for this important discussion.

Please encourage all staff to think about the best and worst features of
WorkFlows and to take just a few minutes to fill out the survey.

The Best/Worst survey is at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/
s.aspx?sm=gXeLC2suGti42_2bsHwWLBIw_3d_3d

Thank you!


Jennifer Morris, Director
Pioneer Library System
2557 State Rte 21
Canandaigua, NY 14424

Library Advocates needed

From PLS listserv -
Posted by Jennifer Morris - PLS Director

Hello everyone,
we need your help in getting lots of messages out NOW to our state
legislators about the proposed 18% cut in library aid. Please encourage
your staff, trustees and patrons to do the click thing:

Go to owwl.org and click on the Library Advocate button.

Mike Borges at NYLA says:
"Even if you have already sent a letter, please do so again to remind
legislators that Library Advocates are watching their every move and are
staying on top of developments in the Legislature."

Click once and Click often!
Do it now!
Thank you -- you can make a difference!

PLS office closed

Office Closed!

Today (Wednesday ~Jan. 28th), The PLS office is closed due to poor weather & road conditions.

WorldCat First Search

Rochester Regional Library Council
Presents
Monday Night @ the Council Pizza Series:
WorldCat First Search & Worldcat.org
With Barbara Ciambor

May 4, 2009
6:00-8:00 p.m.
(pizza & on-site registration begin at 5:30 p.m.)

Learn about how to use WorldCat as both a regional catalog and a research
tool. WorldCat FirstSearch and WorldCat.org can be used for locating
material in Rochester area libraries and for finding information about
genealogy, resources for people with disabilities, current events and more.

Barbara Ciambor is the Outreach Librarian at the RRLC.

For Staff at RRLC Member Libraries and Member Library Systems. Reasonable
accommodation will be provided upon request.

This program is sponsored by the Rochester Regional Library Council and
supported by Regional Bibliographic Data Bases and Interlibrary Resources
Sharing (RBDB) funds, and/or "in part by" Library Services and Technology
Act (LSTA) funds awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal
Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Save the date - Lobby Day

Save the date!
LOBBY DAY

Tuesday, March 10th is NYLA Lobby Day in Albany!

PLS will again be offering a bus ride to Albany. Jeanne Hayes is still working on the price but she will soon let everyone know cost and pick up locations.

However - if you decide to drive ~
There is a park & ride set up for Lobby Day?

A convenient shuttle service will once again be provided by Kingsley Greene, Sage College Library from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm on March 10. Park at the Sage College Albany campus lot on New Scotland Avenue, hop on the free shuttle and get dropped off right at the LOB.

For more information visit: http://www.nyla.org/index.php?page_id=150

Friday Quote

The only true equalisers in the world are books; the only treasure-house open to all comers is a library; the only wealth which will not decay is knowledge; the only jewel which you can carry beyond the grave is wisdom.
- J. A. Langford

Job Opportunity

EAST ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY

CLERK-TYPIST

Job Summary

The East Rochester Public Library is seeking a part-time clerk-typist to be responsible for opening/closing the Library and Circulation Desk Duties. The position reports directly to the Library Director.

Major Duties

• Opening/Closing the Library: Includes processing materials from book drops, booting up library computers, confirming money count from previous day, printing out router information to pull books for library patrons, process delivery. Closing includes counting the cash drawer, checking restrooms and fire door, lock hallway doors, patron counter amount in log.
• Circulation Desk: Check out materials for patrons. Answer phones, take messages and answer questions, renew items. Answer reference questions, locate items for patrons. Search for materials using CARL Solution. Place reserves on materials. Assist patrons with computers, copiers and printer. Call patrons with information regarding library materials or accounts. Issue new library cards/update records. Check returned items for condition/cleaning. Receive money for fines, book reservations, and book sale. Check out materials for patrons.

Qualifications

High School Diploma, Secondary Education or equivalent experience helpful.

Hours

12 Hours per week. Wednesdays 1-5; Fridays 9-5

Instructions to Applicants

Fill out Application at the East Rochester Public Library, or send resume plus three references by February 10, 2009 to:

Meredith Fraser/Library Director

East Rochester Public Library

111 West Elm St

East Rochester, NY 14445

Did you know?

How many libraries are there in the United States?

All together, there are an estimated 123,291 libraries of all kinds in the United States today. This estimate includes all types of libraries: public libraries, school libraries, academic libraries (meaning community college, college and university libraries), and special libraries, which includes business and corporate, medical, law, religious, armed forces, and government libraries.

National Library of Australia - Holiday fun

The staff of the National Library of Australia performed to Michael Jackson's Thriller at their holiday party. If you have five minutes (and 26 seconds) to spare, enjoy the liberal use of whirling bookcarts and the hip- shaking creativity.

The thrill of the dance

http://slaconnections.typepad.com/info_center_blog/2008/12/the-thrill-of-the-dance.html

Video Game Replacement information

From the PLS-L
Posted with permission by Susie Flick

Hello out there in PLS land!

I came across a useful website today that I thought I would share. It is: replacementdocs.com, and it allows you to print out instruction booklets for almost any video game. It has booklets for all kinds of consoles too. Everything from PS2 to Xbox 360. Some of our video games never had the booklet in the first place, or it has disappeared over time, so this website is really helpful. Hope this helps some of you too.

Fun Library Assistant Goodies

Have you ever thought about finding merchandise for Library Assistants?
Are you proud of your job and want to show it?
Or - Are you a supervisor who wants to show their staff they are appreciated?

Check out this website.
It was lots of fun library related goodies.
IF you want just Library Assistant goodies - type in Library Assistant in the search box.

http://shop.cafepress.com/library

Happy Shopping!

OWWLug - Friday, Jan. 30th

OWWLUG Meeting

Friday, 1/30/2009

10:00-12:00

PLS HQ Meeting Room

Lindsay will be demonstrating the basics of the OverDrive / OWWL2Go service: searching for books, adding to your cart, downloading; general information about the different types of e-audio / e-book files, online help resources, etc.

Please submit additional agenda items to Lindsay Stratton (lstratton@pls-net.org or 585-394-8260).

Thanks to HPL for signing up for January snacks and WIL for taking on May! We still need volunteers for March, July, September, and December. The signup list (and index of meeting agendas/notes) is available at: http://plum.pls-net.org/twiki/bin/view/OWWL/Meetings/OwwlugIndex.

You can sign up directly in the PLUM table, just click the “sign up!” button immediately below the table.

Upcoming Training

UPCOMING TRAINING

Director’s Station

Wednesday, 1/14/2009

**2:00-4:00 - this was listed in Monday's PLS Notes as 10:00-12:00, 2:00-4:00 is the correct time!

PLSHQ Computer Lab

We have a full house! Because we have 10 people and only 5 DS simultaneous user licenses, this class will probably be more theoretical / explanatory in nature, although participants are free to double up to play along. If you have specific projects for which you need advice, bring your information—we’ll use them as class examples. I am also willing to extend class time for anybody who is interested/able to stay longer for more advanced topics.

• Director’s Station user materials are available at:

http://plum.pls-net.org/twiki/bin/view/OWWL/DirectorsStationIndex

2009 Calendar available

Happy Tuesday everyone!
I have a beautiful 2009 SirsiDynix calendar available.
The pictures are of different Sirsi Libraries around the world.
If you would like this calendar, please let me know.
If more than one person wants it - I'll draw names on Friday, Jan. 16th

Thanks
Heidi

Library Journal Nominations - still needed

Deadline is January 19th!

We know libraries can’t do it without you. LJ seeks nominations for its annual Paraprofessional of the Year Award. Sponsored by Brodart Library Supplies & Furnishings, the $1500 award recognizes the essential role of paraprofessionals in providing excellent library service. It places special emphasis on the efforts of the winner to further the role of paraprofessionals in the library profession.

Along with the cash prize, the winner also is profiled in LJ’s March 1 cover feature and celebrated at ALA Annual. Deadline is January 19, don’t miss it! Full details here.

Contact Albany now!

The Governor will be giving his State of the State Address today and the state Legislature is in Session to elect its leadership. Senator Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) is expected to be the next Senate Majority Leader, marking the first time in 40 years the Democrats will be in control of the state Senate. Speaker Sheldon Silver will leader of the Assembly Majority.

As you know, the proposed 2009-10 Executive Budget includes an $18 million or 18% cut in Library Aid on top of the cuts imposed in April and August of 2008. This would reduce Library Aid to $80.5 million - a level not seen since 1993.

I therefore urge you to visit our website at www.nyla.org and click on the Contact Your Elected Officials icon to send a fax or email to your state legislators and the Governor protesting this draconian cut in Library Aid.

Libraries are willing to do their fair share in addressing the state's fiscal crisis and we have done our part already, twice in 2008, but now it is time for others to do their fair share, before asking the library community to do more.

So please right now, today, while the Legislature is in Albany, send a fax/email through our Online Advocacy Center. Thanks again for your support.

LSSIRT newsletter

The latest LSSIRT (ALA's Library Support Staff Interests Round Table) Newsletter is now available.

Check it out online at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/lssirt/lssirtbenefits/
2008_December_LSSIRT.pdf

It includes a great article by Dorothy Morgan (president of the LSSIRT Steering
Committee and Liverpool (NY) Public Library) based on her presentation at the 2008 Empowerment Conference, titled Captain Your Destiny and "Sea" Where it Takes You! she writes eloquently about change, professional/personal development, and staying engaged in one's library career despite the obstacles.
Dorothy was also the 2008 NYSLAA conference host which was held in Liverpool, NY.
NYSLAA conferences are an excellent way to receive training on a National level - within our state.

A portion of this information was first posted to the Training Pioneers blog by Linsday Stratton.
Lindsay is a huge supporter of Support Staff training and recognition.

Six word fun!

Just alittle fun...........

Can you describe your library and/or work in six words??

Try it and let me know how you make out!


My Six word fun goes like this:

New Books always fun to read! Written by Heidi Jensen