I learned of a great new web site and directory yesterday. The Maryland Community Services Locator database provides links, contact info, maps, and directions from your current location to many important services across the state.
Service links provided include those in the areas of Buprenorphine/methadone certified physicians, conflict resolution, disability services, family assistance, food assistance, health services, HIV/AIDs Resources, Job readiness, juvenile services, legal assistance, mental health services, needle exchange, parole/probation, public libraries, schools, senior citizen resources, housing, substance abuse, support groups, and victim services.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Service Awards!
Congratulations to Lisa, Carol, Lisa, Inez and Janice on an anniversary celebrating their many years of public service with the Allegany County Library System.
Libraries at the Heart of our Communities
The Summer issue of Planning Commissioner's Journal's feature article is entitled, "Libraries: at the heart of our communities."
The article highlights the many positive effects libraries play in the economic, community and educational development of our communities and our lives.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Keep up with our Delicious Site.
Did you know that when we find a good web site or resource, we bookmark it on our Delicious site?
That way we can each contribute to our shared pool of good stuff.
Find us at http://delicious.com/ACLS_Favorites
Or you can follow our favorite new web sites on your favorite RSS reader.
Just add this url to your list to follow our feed.
http: |
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Lesson from the Trail
I was reminded of a bike ridding lesson the other day. As you ride your bike, you will hit whatever you are looking at. Its seemed a worthwhile lesson and parallel that to reach your goal you need to keep your eye on it. At least remind yourself of what you are trying to accomplish with enough frquentcy that it doesn't pass you by on the way to somewhere else.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Utne reposts story on Living Library
From the July-Aug 2009 Utne magazine.
What do a Gay Teen, a Politician, an Alcoholic, an Old Lady, and a Buddhist have in common? (No, this isn’t a joke.) They’re all titles of “books” to be “checked out” from the Living Library, an organization that lends human “books” in an effort to combat prejudice by hosting events that encourage one-on-one learning about others with different beliefs and lifestyles.
Beth Riggs, who has been an Atheist book, told Conscious Choice (Jan. 2009), “You can’t just walk up to someone in a café who’s wearing hijab and start asking questions.”
Developed in Europe, the project spread globally, with Michigan recently becoming the fifth state to hold an event—at which, the organization reports, “The Muslim was constantly busy. We had to take him out of circulation just so he could grab a cup of coffee and a bite to eat.” Even more reason to renew your library card.
What do a Gay Teen, a Politician, an Alcoholic, an Old Lady, and a Buddhist have in common? (No, this isn’t a joke.) They’re all titles of “books” to be “checked out” from the Living Library, an organization that lends human “books” in an effort to combat prejudice by hosting events that encourage one-on-one learning about others with different beliefs and lifestyles.
Beth Riggs, who has been an Atheist book, told Conscious Choice (Jan. 2009), “You can’t just walk up to someone in a café who’s wearing hijab and start asking questions.”
Developed in Europe, the project spread globally, with Michigan recently becoming the fifth state to hold an event—at which, the organization reports, “The Muslim was constantly busy. We had to take him out of circulation just so he could grab a cup of coffee and a bite to eat.” Even more reason to renew your library card.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Visualization of US consumer spending
Sent to you via Google Reader
Visualization of US consumer spending
Here's a nice dataviz of US consumer spending as of April 2009. How depressing is that minuscule slice labelled "reading"?
How The Average U.S. Consumer Spends Their Paycheck
(via Sociological Images)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
2 good ones from Current Cites, June 2009
Current Cites
June 2009
Edited by [2]Roy Tennant
http://lists.webjunction.org/currentcites/2009/cc09.20.6.html
Contributors: Keri Cascio, [3]Frank Cervone, [4]Susan Gibbons, [5]Leo
Robert Klein, [6]Brian Rosenblum, [7]Roy Tennant, [8]Jesus Tramullas
_____________________________________________________
Dehmlow, Mark. "[25]The Ten Commandments of Interacting with
Nontechnical People" [26]Information Technology and Libraries
28(2)(June 2009): 53-54.
(http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/lita/ital/282009/2802jun/dehmlow.cfm
). - Like the author, I too have worked "in between" the tech and
non-tech worlds -- able to communicate with denizens of both but not
fully of either. Perhaps that is why this short piece resonates so much
with me. "Ironically," Dehmlow points out, "it turns out the most
critical pieces to successfully implementing technology solutions and
bridging the digital divide in libraries has been categorically
nontechnical in nature; it all comes down to collegiality, clear
communication, and a commitment to collaboration." Amen. He then goes
on to enumerate his ten "commandments" for working with those who are
not technically inclined. I suppose another reason I like this piece so
much is that it reminds me very much of a recent piece I wrote,
[27]"Talking Tech: Explaining Technical Topics to a Non-Technical
Audience". Knowing Mark personally, I'm flattered to think we agree so
much on advice that can be so important to the success of managing
technical change. - [28]RT
Sartain, Julie. "[35]Used IT Gear: How to Get Good Stuff Cheap and
Avoid the Lemons" [36]Computerworld 43(22)(June 22, 2009): 28-31.
(http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasi
c&articleId=339633). - As budgets in most libraries continue to shrink,
being more creative in purchasing technology is becoming an imperative.
Something that has not traditionally been on most purchasing radars is
used computer equipment. As a general guide, this article is peppered
with tips on getting the best value out of used hardware. However,
similar to the cautions one must exercise when purchasing a used car,
there are many factors to consider before making a used computer
purchase. For example, purchasing used equipment can factor nicely into
a "Green IT" plan; however, you also have to consider that older
equipment is generally less energy-efficient, which may outway the
benefits of reuse. A quick read, this article may spur some creative
purchasing in your library that will actually allow you to do more by
paying less. - [37]FC
__________________________________________________________________
Current Cites - ISSN: 1060-2356 is hosted by the community at
WebJunction.org.
(c) Copyright 2009 by Roy Tennant
[44]Creative Commons License
References
June 2009
Edited by [2]Roy Tennant
http://lists.webjunction.org/currentcites/2009/cc09.20.6.html
Contributors: Keri Cascio, [3]Frank Cervone, [4]Susan Gibbons, [5]Leo
Robert Klein, [6]Brian Rosenblum, [7]Roy Tennant, [8]Jesus Tramullas
_____________________________________________________
Dehmlow, Mark. "[25]The Ten Commandments of Interacting with
Nontechnical People" [26]Information Technology and Libraries
28(2)(June 2009): 53-54.
(http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/lita/ital/282009/2802jun/dehmlow.cfm
). - Like the author, I too have worked "in between" the tech and
non-tech worlds -- able to communicate with denizens of both but not
fully of either. Perhaps that is why this short piece resonates so much
with me. "Ironically," Dehmlow points out, "it turns out the most
critical pieces to successfully implementing technology solutions and
bridging the digital divide in libraries has been categorically
nontechnical in nature; it all comes down to collegiality, clear
communication, and a commitment to collaboration." Amen. He then goes
on to enumerate his ten "commandments" for working with those who are
not technically inclined. I suppose another reason I like this piece so
much is that it reminds me very much of a recent piece I wrote,
[27]"Talking Tech: Explaining Technical Topics to a Non-Technical
Audience". Knowing Mark personally, I'm flattered to think we agree so
much on advice that can be so important to the success of managing
technical change. - [28]RT
Sartain, Julie. "[35]Used IT Gear: How to Get Good Stuff Cheap and
Avoid the Lemons" [36]Computerworld 43(22)(June 22, 2009): 28-31.
(http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasi
c&articleId=339633). - As budgets in most libraries continue to shrink,
being more creative in purchasing technology is becoming an imperative.
Something that has not traditionally been on most purchasing radars is
used computer equipment. As a general guide, this article is peppered
with tips on getting the best value out of used hardware. However,
similar to the cautions one must exercise when purchasing a used car,
there are many factors to consider before making a used computer
purchase. For example, purchasing used equipment can factor nicely into
a "Green IT" plan; however, you also have to consider that older
equipment is generally less energy-efficient, which may outway the
benefits of reuse. A quick read, this article may spur some creative
purchasing in your library that will actually allow you to do more by
paying less. - [37]FC
__________________________________________________________________
Current Cites - ISSN: 1060-2356 is hosted by the community at
WebJunction.org.
(c) Copyright 2009 by Roy Tennant
[44]Creative Commons License
References
_______________________________________________
CurrentCites mailing list
CurrentCites@webjunction.org
http://lists.webjunction.org/currentcites/
FY09 Stats Draft
It looks like another busy year for the library system. Take a look at the first draft of our annual usage statistics.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)