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<H1><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><A name=Top></A>Letter To
Libraries Online</FONT></H1>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">An Electronic Newsletter from
the Oregon State Library.......Volume 20, Issue 2, February
2010</FONT></P></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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<DIV align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><B><A
name=Board></A>Library Board News</B></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">STATE LIBRARY BOARD TO
DISCUSS L-NET SUPPORT PAYMENTS AGAIN</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">At their February 26th meeting in
Salem, the State Library Board will once again discuss the idea of beginning to
assess partial support from larger public and academic libraries for the L-net
e-reference program. A year ago the Board adopted a revision to the <A
href="http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_500/OAR_543/543_060.html">Oregon
Administrative Rules</A> to make this possible. However the rule they adopted
was tied to payments for statewide database licenses. When the Board decided to
not to charge larger public and academic libraries for half of the database
costs last year, that meant that under the existing rule, they could not be
assessed a partial support payment for L-net. In February, at the request of the
Board, the staff will present a proposal to amend the existing rule to allow
L-net payments, beginning next year. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In other business, the Board will
hear a recommendation from the Talking Book and Braille Services Advisory
Council to submit a Legislative Concept to Governor Kulongoski for the 2011
legislative session. The proposal would be modeled on SB 849, a bill to fund the
NEWSLINE newspaper service with universal service funds from the Oregon Public
Utility Commission that failed to pass in the 2009 session. The Board will also
consider a request from Oregon State University Libraries to add funds to their
2010 LSTA grant so they can follow through on a plan to digitize historical
resources working with two historical societies in the state. The plan received
only partial funding from the Oregon Heritage Commission, and OSU is seeking
full funding for their plan which complements their LSTA-funded Oregon Digital
Library Project.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Board will meet, beginning at
9:30 a.m., on February 26th in Room 102 at the State Library. An open forum will
be held at 11:30 at which anyone may address the Board on any
topic.<BR><BR></FONT></P>
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<DIV align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><B><A
name=OSLNews></A>State Library News</B></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">ACADEMIC LIBRARIANS
MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF GALE/CENGAGE LEARNING</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">On January 27th representatives
from a number of academic libraries in Oregon met at the Oregon State Library
with representatives of Gale/Cengage to discuss concerns that have been
expressed by the academic library community. The all-day meeting provided an
opportunity for the librarians to give examples of technical and content issues
they have experienced since September 2009 when the contract between the State
Library and Gale/Cengage to provide general periodicals databases to Oregon
libraries became effective. The Gale representatives took back a list of action
items and will be responding to the concerns expressed in the near future.
</FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">NEW GRS BLOG
HIGHLIGHTS STATE DOCUMENTS</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Government Research Services
team has launched a new blog that highlights newsworthy Oregon government
documents. <A
href="http://library.state.or.us/blogs/ReadAllAboutItOregon/wordpress/">Read All
About It, Oregon</A> will feature Oregon documents that are in news, or about
topics in the news, and link to those documents in the <A
href="http://oregon.gov/OSL/GRES/REPOS/index.shtml">Oregon Documents
Repository</A>. The documents are as varied as state agency missions are,
ranging from public health, voting, and natural resources to recreational
opportunities. The blog combines the expertise of the <A
href="http://library.state.or.us/services/awareness/eclips/archive/">eClips</A>
and <A href="http://oregon.gov/OSL/GRES/OrDocs.shtml">Oregon Documents
Depository</A> groups.<BR></FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The California State Library, Idaho
Commission for Libraries, Oregon State Library, and Washington State Library are
pleased to announce a year-long Fellowship opportunity funded by a grant from
the U.S. Institute for Museum and Library Services, Laura Bush 21st Century
Librarian Program. This year-long Fellowship will provide continuing education
scholarships for selected library staff and professionals who wish to advance
their library and information science skills related to improving services to
and engagement with active, older adults. Up to 100 qualified applicants from
California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington will be selected to participate.
Fellows will be introduced to a new framework for serving and engaging adults
ages 50+ that both promotes productive aging and establishes libraries as
centers of lifelong learning and civic engagement. For more information about
this Fellowship and for the link to the online application, go to the IMLS
Western Regional Fellowship <A
href="http://www.transforminglifeafter50.org/innovators/imls-fellowship">web
site</A>. The Fellowship will run from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.
Deadline for submission, including a Letter of Library Commitment from the
library director, is April 2, 2010. </FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">PLINKIT SOFTWARE
UPGRADE IN THE WORKS</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Plinkit, a free web-hosting
solution for public and tribal libraries in Oregon, will be undergoing upgrades
in February. The new software will provide the following new features for
Plinkit website editors: recurring events for the library and staff calendars,
additional formatting and styling options for pages, version control, link
checking for local content, and portlet management. An updated User Manual will
also be distributed to Plinkit libraries shortly after the upgrade. Several new
Plinkit sites are already using the new software in addition to a few “early
adopters” including <A href="http://www.lakecounty.plinkit.org/">Lake County
Libraries</A>, <A href="http://dclibrary.us/">Douglas County Library System</A>,
and <A href="http://www.monmouth.plinkit.org/">Monmouth Public Library</A>.
Currently, 50 libraries in Oregon are using Plinkit, and nationwide nearly 300
libraries are using it. More information about Plinkit for Oregon is available
at <A
href="file:///Y:/Intranet/Library/(http://oregon.plinkit.org/">http://oregon.plinkit.org/</A>.
If your library is interested in using Plinkit, please contact <A
href="mailto:darci.hanning@state.or.us">Darci Hanning</A>,
503-378-2527.<BR><BR></FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">LIBRARY SERVICES AND
TECHNOLOGY ACT GUIDELINES AVAILABLE FOR FFY2011 GRANT CYCLE</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Got a great idea for a joint
automation project? Outreach program? A new use of technology? The Library
Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program may be for you! The application
packet for FY2011 grant proposals is available on the web through the <A
href="http://oregon.gov/OSL/LD/LSTAcomp.shtml">LSTA Competitive Grant
Program</A> page. The LSTA program uses a two-step grant process. Short
proposals are due April 16. Ideas need to support the <A
href="http://oregon.gov/OSL/LD/LSTA/LSTAfiveyrplan0812.doc">Oregon Library
Services and Technology Act Five-Year State Plan 2008-2012</A>. Feel free to
check out the proposals from past years, as there may be a project you wish to
replicate. We welcome calls to talk over grant ideas, or find out about similar
grants that may have been made in previous years. Contact <A
href="mailto:ann.reed@state.or.us">Ann Reed </A>, (503)
378-5027.<BR><BR></FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">DIGITAL TRANSITION
MOVES FORWARD</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">As we announced in the October
LTLO, the new digital talking book machines are here and we have been very busy
sending them out. We have sent over 770 players to patrons and continue to
satisfy patron requests as players become available. At the current rate of new
machines arriving, we are anticipating that the initial waiting list of 2500
people will be satisfied by February, 2011. The feedback we are getting from
patrons has been very positive. As one person stated, “The "talking buttons" are
superb and the voice quality is phenomenal.” An additional benefit is that the
digital talking book machine is compatible with BARD (Braille and Audio Reading
Download), that provides downloadable digital books from the <A
href="https://nlsbard.loc.gov/">National Library Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped </A>. So if you have any patrons at your library who
qualify for Talking Book and Braille Services, please sign them up today.
</FONT></P>
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<DIV align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><B><A
name=OtherNews></A>Other Library News</B></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">BAKER COUNTY LIBRARY
DISTRICT NAMED A "BEST SMALL LIBRARY"</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In January, the Baker County
Library District was named by <I>Library Journa</I>l as a finalist for their
Best Small Library in America 2010 award. The grand prize went to Glen Carbon
Centennial Library, IL. Baker County Library shares its finalist prize with the
Cross Plains Public Library, TX, making it one of the top three small libraries
in the country this year. A <I>Library Journal </I>press release states the
“libraries feature the programs, tech savvy, and commitment to the community
that signify the Best Small Library in America.” Over 30 libraries competed for
the award this year. Baker County Library’s nomination came from Governor Ted
Kulongoski, with letters of endorsement furnished by State Librarian Jim
Scheppke, Baker County Commissioner Fred Warner, and Ken Reading, Director of
the Umatilla Special Library District. Sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, <I>Library Journal's</I> Best Small Library in America award was
created in 2005 to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of libraries
serving populations under 25,000. As the winner, Glen Carbon Centennial Library
will receive a $15,000 cash award to support its services and outreach to the
community. The two finalist libraries will each receive conference costs for two
library representatives to attend the 2010 Public Library Association conference
in Portland, and recognition at an award celebration. Library Director Perry
Stokes will accept the finalist award on Thursday, March 25 at a PLA gala event
in Portland.</FONT><BR><BR></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">NASA INVITES MUSEUMS
AND LIBRARIES TO APPLY FOR FREE SPACE ARTIFACTS </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">NASA began offering a second round
of free space artifacts to libraries and museums. Museums and libraries must
first be determined as eligible by contacting a representative of their <A
href="http://www.oregonsurplus.com/">State Agency for Surplus Property</A> in
their state. Once they are determined to be eligible, institutions will receive
a log-on and password so they can view available artifacts at the <A
href="http://gsaxcess.gov/NASAWel.htm">web site</A>. The artifacts are free, but
eligible recipients must cover shipping and special handling fees. Shipping fees
on smaller items will be relatively inexpensive, while larger items may involve
extensive disassembly, preparation, shipping, and reassembly costs. NASA will
work closely with potential recipients, on a case by case basis, to address any
unique special handling costs. Each artifact will be screened for 90 days. Once
the screening period closes, and at completion of the allocation process,
requestors will be notified about the status of their request. For the latest
information about NASA shuttle transition and artifacts, visit the <A
href="http://www.nasa.gov/transition">web site</A>. </FONT></P>
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<DIV align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><A
name=PS></A><B>P.S. (From the State
Librarian)</B></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have been a big fan of Roy
Tennant for a long time. Tennant used to have a print column in <I>Library
Journal</I> and now blogs for them. His day job is working for OCLC Research.
Once again Roy hit the nail on the head with his blog post for the new year and
the new decade, “<A
href="http://www.libraryjournal.com/blog/1090000309/post/840051684.html">The
Decade of Massive Cooperation</A>”. He argues that if libraries “have a prayer
of surviving and thriving” in the decades ahead we have to do it together and on
a massive scale. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">While we “cannot out-Google Google”
(it’s too late for that), neither can we fail to follow the same large-scale
strategies (in our case, regional, national and global) to improve our products
and services and increase our efficiency and cost-effectiveness.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">State libraries have prided
themselves on facilitating cooperation at a regional or statewide level. We’ve
done that. Back in the 1970’s we funded consulting work that resulted in many of
the county and multi-county public library federations we still have today
(CCRLS, WCCLS, LINCC, etc.). We provided start-up funding for most of the shared
automated library systems in the state. We began our statewide library courier
system and statewide database licensing two decades ago.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">That’s all well and good, but going
forward we all need to do things on an even larger scale.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We’ve already begun. The best
example, of course, is the Orbis Cascade Alliance, the first two-state academic
library resource sharing network in the country, which continues to grow.
Another good example is the Plinkit Collaborative, which we formed with our
colleagues in Colorado, Texas and Illinois to collaboratively support the
Plinkit content management system. The Collaborative now covers much of the
country, including Nebraska, Michigan, Virginia, and the Lyrasis network on the
east coast.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I understand that the OLA Vision
2020 Committee is focusing on greater collaboration as a major goal for this
decade. That’s good to hear. I think it’s time to finally achieve, in this
decade, a goal what was not achieved in OLA’s Vision 2000 and Vision 2010. Both
of those plans called for a statewide library card and a statewide library
catalog. I believe, in this new decade, we finally have the technology, and
hopefully the will, to achieve both. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Again, we probably can’t out-Google
Google, but we must do everything we can to show Oregonians that their libraries
can work together to meet nearly all of their needs for library materials and
information. – Jim Scheppke<BR><BR></FONT></P>
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<DIV align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><B><A
name=Contacts></A>Contacts at the Oregon State
Library</B></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><BR>Library Development:
503-378-2525, <A href="mailto:marykay.dahlgreen@state.or.us">MaryKay
Dahlgreen</A>, <A href="mailto:mary.l.mayberry@state.or.us">Mary Mayberry</A>,
<A href="mailto:darci.hanning@state.or.us">Darci Hanning</A>, <A
href="mailto:ann.reed@state.or.us">Ann Reed</A>, <A
href="mailto:jennifer.maurer@state.or.us">Jennifer Maurer</A>, <A
href="mailto:katie.anderson@state.or.us">Katie Anderson</A>.<BR><BR>Talking Book
and Braille Services: 503-378-5389, <A
href="mailto:susan.b.westin@state.or.us">Susan Westin</A>.<BR><BR>Government
Research and Electronic Services: 503-378-5030, <A
href="mailto:robert.hulshof-schmidt@state.or.us">Robert
Hulshof-Schmidt</A>.<BR><BR>State Librarian: 503-378-4367, <A
href="mailto:jim.b.scheppke@state.or.us">Jim Scheppke</A>.<BR><BR>LTLO Editor:
503-378-2464, <A href="mailto:april.m.baker@state.or.us">April
Baker</A>.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><I>Letter to Libraries Online</I>
is published monthly by the Oregon State Library. Editorial office: LTLO, Oregon
State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97301-3950, 503-378-2464,
editor: <A href="mailto:april.m.baker@state.or.us">April Baker</A>.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><I>Letter to Libraries Online</I>
is available free of charge and is available only in electronic form on the
publications page at the Oregon State Library's homepage: <A
href="http://www.oregon.gov/OSL">http://www.oregon.gov/OSL</A>. Opinions
expressed in the articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of
the Oregon State Library. News items or articles should be sent to <A
href="mailto:april.m.baker@state.or.us">April Baker</A>, or mailed to LTLO,
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97301-3950.</FONT></P>
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