THE DISSEMINATOR ISSN:1208-2473 V.7, N.10 October 2000 An electronic newsletter from the Nova Scotia Provincial Library 3770 Kempt Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K 4X8 (902) 424-2457; FAX (902) 424-0633 Also available on the Web at: http://www.library.ns.ca/provlib/disseminator/ To subscribe to THE DISSEMINATOR, send a message to [log in to unmask] and enter the following text in the body of the message: subscribe dissem-list yourfirstname yourlastname. Comments on or suggestions for THE DISSEMINATOR should be directed to Gillian Webster at [log in to unmask] IN THIS ISSUE News from the Regions Council of Regional Librarian Meeting Learning Resources and Technology (LRT) News from the Library and Information Technology Program, Nova Scotia Community College News from the School of Library and Information Studies, Dalhousie University Nova Scotia Provincial Library News Training Notes Hot Tips and Updates COLUMNS Where They Are Now Reference on the Net LINKed Professional Reading NEWS FROM THE REGIONS Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL) The Fall in-service for AVRL branch staff was held on October 16. Eleven branch managers took part in the Street Smart 9-5 workshop, presented by Donna Hendy, Training and Development Consultant, Department of Education. To find out more about the Street Smart Program, visit http://www.crisisprevention.com/training/programs.htm#Street Smart From 9 to 5. Wolfville Branch Manager, Sharon Wendt, is taking a one-year leave of absence. She and her husband are off to Colorado and will be enjoying some time with their son, daughter-in-law and new grandson. Lisa Rice is Acting Branch Manager in her absence. Sue Cranton from Technical Services has a new baby girl and will be on leave until April. As a result of these leaves, two new staff members have been welcomed - Mark McFadyen in Wolfville and Sally MacDonald at HQ. The official opening of the joint Kentville Library/Career Resource Centre CAP site was held on September 30. Official ceremonies were held at the Resource Centre with guest speakers Bernie Hart of the Technology & Science Secretariat (TSS) and Graham Rich, Regional Community Access Program (CAP) Co-ordinator. An Open House with refreshments was held at each of the two locations. Gaspereau Press hosted an author reading at the Wolfville Memorial Library on October 15. Authors Susan Haley, Alison Smith, and JJ Steinfeld were featured, each of them reading from new works. Cape Breton Regional Library (CBRL) The Third Annual Conversation Series, in conjunction with the Celtic Colours International Festival, was a great success and attracted more than 120 people to the noon time sessions. Two presenters came from Scotland - Alyth MacCormack and Roddy Campbell. Richard MacKinnon of the University College of Cape Breton spoke on October 12 on the Architecture of the Cape Breton Gaelic Settler. On October 13, more than 60 people came to hear Mr. Murdock MacNeil, a local Gaelic storyteller, relate some first hand accounts of his ancestors. The adult programmes at the McConnell Library include a session on "Wills" offered by Legal Aid, a "Spooky storytelling" session in time for Halloween, and "Advice on buying or upgrading a computer." Check the web page at http://www.cbrl.ns.ca for a complete listing. The Cape Breton Regional Library with the assistance of the University College of Cape Breton is hosting NSLA 2001. The committee consists of Theresa MacDonald, Faye MacDougall, Lesley Brann, Lisa Mulak (CBRL) and Mary Dobson, Laura Syms and Joe Wickens (UCCB). Suggestions for topics/speakers are welcomed. Please contact any of the above committee members if you would like to request a session topic. As mentioned in the last issue, the Cape Breton Regional Library has held Open Houses at all 13 of its library branches during the past year. The last, and biggest, celebration was held on October 1, 2000 at the McConnell Library. A highlight for the afternoon was the unveiling of a commemorative piece of stained glass, commissioned by the 50th Anniversary Committee, and is modelled on the Great Seal of Cape Breton. It hangs proudly in the window overlooking Charlotte Street, the heart of Sydney's downtown. Last month featured a black and white sketch of the logo, and the photograph here shows the beautiful colours of the glass. Colchester-East Hants Regional Library (CEHRL) Celebrating 50 Gala Colchester-East Hants Regional Library held its final gala in a year long series of events celebrating 50 years of service on October 22nd. Staff started the afternoon by gathering together outside for a group photograph; smiles abounded despite the wind and drizzle! The Truro branch was beautifully decorated with large red and gold gift bags filled with brightly coloured autumn leaves. In the main reading room, the Truro Concert Band played a variety of tunes from the last 50 years and refreshments were served in the youth services section, with community volunteers looking after the hot punch and light finger foods. Greetings from the Town of Truro were brought by Councillor Brian Kinsman. The guest speaker was Provincial Librarian, Elizabeth Armstrong, who reminded the audience about the beginnings and growth of library service in Nova Scotia and outlined the exciting activities in libraries today and the challenges and opportunities ahead. This programme was also a very special event for staff as the inaugural staff recognition awards ceremony for those with 5 or more years of service took place. Distinctive 5-year and 20-year pins had been commissioned from a silversmith and for each recipient, initials and the year of attainment had been engraved on the back. For each employee with 10 years of service, the board placed a book with a special bookplate in the library's collection, and employees with 15, 20, 25 or 30 years' service each received a gift certificate from the store of their choice. Framed certificates of appreciation were added to the gift bags that held the other awards. Library Board Chair, Edith Patterson made the presentations with the assistance of Ms. Armstrong and Councillor Kinsman. Mobile Library The Mobile Library went live with on-line circulation in August. Staff training and technical support helped everyone cope with the new procedures and inevitable technical glitches. Press releases, posters, schedules, and letters to patrons past and present announced the arrival of on-line services, which, for the first time, gives mobile library patrons access to the library's catalogue and those of other libraries in the province. There is a new and improved schedule of stops that offers a 3-week rotation, including some after-school, evening, and Saturday visits to selected communities. On the outside, the mobile library has a new look - on each side a removable sign announces: Celebrating 50 1950-2000 Colchester-East Hants Regional Library Stewiacke Branch Industry Canada's Community Access Program has provided a computer workstation for the Stewiacke Branch. It joins the Gates computer and the two computers supplied under the library's original automation project. Stewiacke Town Days saw the Mobile Library used as a booth, with staff selling discarded books (raising $52), giving tours of the mobile branch, and telling stories to the children. Cumberland Regional Library (CURL) Automated circulation is up and running at the Cumberland Regional Library. Many thanks go to Michael Purcell and Shirley MacLeod for their hard work and patience over the past few months. September welcomed the start of a new Reading Club in the Amherst branch, starting with a discussion of Angela's Ashes. Other adult programmes include an extremely popular "Decorating on a Shoestring" programme, for which an additional session was added due to public interest. Preschool children can now enjoy the weekly story time sessions with staff member Dianna Lawless featuring stories, games and crafts. Eastern Counties Regional Library (ECRL) Libraries are special places as seen in this short note from Anne Leblanc in the Drs. Coady and Tompkins Memorial Library: "...I had a delightful visit with 40 students and five faculty members from the Coady Institute as well as three grand-nieces of Dr. Coady...They came in Sunday at noon; it was an hour that went all too quickly. They were most interested in Dr. Coady's small private collection which we house here, as well as a display of books and items which we have of Coady and Tompkins. I noticed a number of them looking through the atlas to find their home and others picked books relating to their own countries. Africa and India were well represented. They were so appreciative and rather surprised that we would open for them on a day that we are normally closed. It was a privilege to host this visit!" The Libr@ry Links project is well underway. A grant proposal to the Canadian Rural Pilot Initiative has been accepted and will give the library the extra funding needed to add an additional person to its outreach team as well as purchase the equipment needed to establish these new services. Permanent sites have been found in several small communities and local library committees are engaged in site preparation. Orders will soon be in for signage, laptops, etc. NcompasS circulation and acquisitions modules are being used at headquarters and in the branch libraries, and headquarters staff are now working on the snags and glitches before the Libr@ry Links sites also come online. Halifax Regional Library (HRL) Keshen Goodman Public Library is Underway! This October the Halifax Regional Library celebrated the launch of construction of the new Keshen Goodman Public Library. Located at the gateway to the Mainland Common Park in the Clayton Park area of Halifax, the library will serve the needs of a rapidly growing community. The 25,000 square foot library will have a collection capacity of over 100,000 volumes, a family computer area, a computer training room, meeting rooms and spacious reading areas for children and adults and a coffee café arranged around a cosy fireplace. The new library is entirely funded through a bequest from Marion Keshen in memory of the Keshen Goodman family. Construction is expected to be completed by spring 2001. Plans and interior design finishes of the Keshen Goodman Public Library are on display at the Thomas Raddall Public Library. For news and development on the Keshen Goodman Library Project check our web site http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Libraries/HCRL/HalifaxLibraryHome.html. Links to Learning Project launches valuable resource during English as a Second Language Week The Links to Learning Project was launched this September at the Spring Garden Road branch of the Halifax Regional Library. The project has produced three resource lists of selected ESL materials available at the Halifax Regional Library for children, young adults, and adults, and four lists of ESL and related Internet sites for children, young adults, adults, and teachers or tutors. Links to Learning was conducted by the Intercultural Connections Association of Nova Scotia (ICANS), the Nova Scotia Library Association (NSLA) and the Halifax Regional Library (HRL), with generous funding from Metro United Way. These ESL lists can be used by ESL learners, librarians, schools, resource centres, literacy groups, immigrant service providers, and other related organizations. There are approximately 2000 immigrants who arrive in Nova Scotia annually and one of the most difficult barriers this population, known in this article as Newcomers, face, is language. Often the quality of the lives of these Newcomers is determined by their familiarity with the English language. The Halifax Regional School system includes ESL teachers and YMCA Immigrant Youth Support Workers. However, they are in place only in those schools with a high portion of Newcomer children. There are also five adult LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) schools, but only landed immigrants qualify to attend these schools. Therefore, there is a significant section of the Newcomer community who will greatly benefit from access to ESL materials available in our public libraries. It is the hope that the seven Links to Learning lists will assist Newcomer children, young adults and adults in their learning of the English language and orientation to their new home. Copies of the ESL booklets will be sent to local libraries, to schools, and to organizations which serve Newcomers and those seeking to improve their level of literacy, and other agencies as well as the other regional libraries in the province. For more information, contact Paroo MacKinnon at ICANS at 453-6613. Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library (PARL) National Recognition Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library has recently been awarded the "LibraryNet Best Practices 2000 Award" for the Rural Access Site Project. The award is issued annually by Industry Canada and LibraryNet. Summer Reading Programme PARL's Summer Reading Programme made a huge "splash" this year thanks to the efforts and coordination by Steve MacLean and students Becky Alexander and Andrea Currie. The Adopt a Library Literacy Programme, spearheaded by RCMP Constable John Kennedy, provided many reading achievement prizes for children participating. There were 557 children registered for the programme and 8990 books were read over the summer. New "Kids" Computers New Glasgow Library now has two "kids" public access computers. These have been installed in the children's area and are specifically designed for very young children and their parents/caregivers. They are "jazzed up," have direct links to recommended sites, include several interactive books and include scanners, and headphone jacks. The Trainer in New Glasgow has been hired to specifically promote and market this service. River John Library The largest project for PARL is the new River John Library and Innovation Centre. This new $320,000, 3000 square foot facility will be owned locally by the River John Friends of the Library, then leased to the County Council. The Friends have formed as a Non-Profit Society under Library Board policies and entered into a 15 year lease agreement with the County. This lease will pay the mortgage and the Friends have agreed to fundraise $50,000. HRDC has agreed to contribute labour costs of about $90,000. County Council has granted $65,000 for furniture and new books. CAP has contributed $20,000 for equipment. Other sources of funding are being sought to enhance all areas of the library. The facility, located across the street from the current library, will house a public library, technology area, community programme/meeting room, and a community office. To date, the construction manager has been hired, excavation has begun, and Linda Arsenault and Eric Stackhouse are busy looking at paint and fabric swatches. Completion date is expected to be March 2001. You can watch it live on the Internet at http://www.riverjohn.com/webcam.htm. Community Access Program (CAP) Bernice Cameron has been hired as the Pictou County CAP Coordinator. Bernice has a teaching background and has a strong interest in technology access in rural areas. She works from PARL HQ in New Glasgow acting as a support person for all CAP activities in the County. She also assists in the coordination of the local Information Technology Action Group (ITAG). HRDC has approved the hiring of 10 CAP trainers and provided a coordinator position as well. Heather McKinnon has been hired as the public trainer Coordinator. The trainers will assist people using the public access equipment and software, maintain the site, and work on web based projects selected by advisory committees or PARL staff. In return they will be provided with a good work placement and a highly visible job. If all goes well at the end of six months new trainers may be hired. Also, several of the trainers will have laptops for off-site training. Digital Collection Jolene Shaw has been hired as the LibraryNet project worker. Jolene has worked on various other digitization projects, including "Nova Scotia's Industrial Centre, 1916" and "Native Born: a short history of Pictou's Black Community;" both can be found at: www.parl.ns.ca/genealogy.html. Jolene and Fern MacDonald, reference staff member, are currently working on a project involving all the war cenotaphs and related obituaries for the area. Jolene has also completing a web site for the Adopt A Library Literacy Programme which can be found at www.parl.ns.ca/adoptalibrary. New Activities and Projects PARL is currently re-designing its entire website. This will be the fourth generation and is in response to comments and suggestions from the public. The goal will be to make it more user friendly, interactive, and appealing. The current IBM webserver is being replaced with a new IBM machine. This is in preparation for the new website and will house more digital collections projects. Western Counties Regional Library (WCRL) Library Card Month Yields Results The message of Library Card Month - to register with the local branch of the Western Counties Regional Library - was not lost on the 741 people who received new library cards, or reactivated an expired one, during the month of September. Library Card Month, an awareness campaign sponsored by Cameron Publications, has been held every September since 1998. Since it began, 2357 individuals have been introduced to, or have become reacquainted with, their library. They have joined the ranks of over 17,000 in the tri-counties who carry a free "passport to the world" - a world of knowledge and adventure gained through books, magazines, videos, audio books, CDs and the Internet. A new service to members this year is being able to use your library card from home, school, or work - wherever you have an Internet connection. Through the library's home page you can: search the library catalogue; request a book; ask a reference question; use the library's magazine databases to find hundreds of entertaining and informative articles, and use the library's collection of electronic resources to answer your information needs. Along with receiving or updating a library card, participants of Library Card Month were also eligible to win a one year subscription to their county newspaper. The lucky winners are: Amber Gould from Yarmouth, winner of The Vanguard; Allison Amero from Plympton, winner of The Digby Courier; Ansley Stoddart from Clark's Harbour winner of The Coast Guard. Along with the sponsorship of Cameron Publications Library Card Month is supported by Tusket Sales & Service and CJLS. Humourist at Library Colleen Curran's flair for dramatic comedy, was evident when she read excerpts from her books, Overnight Sensation and Something Drastic, at the McKay Memorial Library on October 21. Colleen Curran is a Montrealer of Irish heritage, and her life-long "French immersion" has given her the gift of gab in both official languages. The genius for dramatic comedy so apparent in her two hilarious novels also permeates the plays for which she has become a well-known figure in Canadian theatre. Colleen also participated in the 4th Biannual South Shore Festival of Writers at White Point Beach Resort October 16 - 22. Her visit to the McKay Memorial Library was sponsored by the South Shore Literacy Club and the Canada Council for the Arts. The Council of Regional Librarians Meeting The Council of Regional Librarians met to deal with a full agenda on October 16-17. The issues discussed included the designation of regional libraries as CAP sites, the report of this year's Funding Formula Review Committee, Friends of the Library groups, revised terms of reference for the Council on Youth Services, orientation for new board members, and Web Awareness. Eric Stackhouse presented a tour of Pictou County's new community portal, and Trudy Amirault showed the group plans for new virtual library services, part of their Smart Communities project. The group agreed to proceed with a provincial partnership with CNIB to gain access to the CNIB library collection and related services. Remote access to the databases included in the provincial consortium will be set up so that a cardholder from any regional library will be able to access the databases from any regional library web site. Learning Resources and Technology (LRT) A Division of Program Branch in the Department of Education, Learning Resources and Technology (LRT) provides video, computer, multimedia, and distance education resources to schools. That is to say, Learning Resources and Technology provides non-print resources to support the Nova Scotia Public School Program. LRT also provides professional development opportunities for educators at the district level. LRT and the Department are partners in Canada's SchoolNet. The award-winning website features a searchable database of curriculum-related web sites, a bank on NcompasS that provides access to LRT's collection of educational videotapes, software tutorials, information about using multimedia resources, reviews of educational software, and links to all sorts of professional development sites on the web. Public libraries around the province have access to some videotape programmes held at the Education Media Library; namely, those that are produced by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) or by Learning Resources and Technology itself. For further information, please call (902)424-2440. Check out the website at http://lrt.ednet.ns.ca. LRT Update on IEI-Schools Project The Information Economy Initiative (IEI) is the single largest IT-related initiative in Nova Scotia and has provided 6200 computers and accessories to 181 secondary schools across the province. It is now in its third and final year of implementation, and finishes in June 2001. This project is significant because funding was also provided over three years for teacher professional development, technical support and curriculum-related software. In co-operation with the Department of Municipal Affairs, Nova Scotia Geomatics Centre and the College of Geographic Services, the Department of Education has provided participating schools with access to current GIS (Geographic Information System) datasets from Nova Scotia communities for use with the "ArcView" GIS software obtained through IEI. These datasets included such topics as watersheds for science and geography research and aerial photographs over several decades to allow history students to view the changes over time in selected Nova Scotia sites, such as Port Hawkesbury. This is just one of the exciting learning opportunities for public school students which is possible now that there is a critical mass of information technology in secondary schools. For more information on the IEI project, please contact Michael Jeffrey at 424-2461 or by email at [log in to unmask], or visit http://lrt.Ednet.ns.ca/IEI-Schools. NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (LIT) PROGRAM, NOVA SCOTIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Focus on Instructors The Halifax and Kingstec LIT Programs are privileged to have excellent part-time instructors and this column will introduce some of them over the next few months. This month's featured instructor is Brent Robson. Brent entered the Halifax LIT Program as a student in 1991. He managed to attend classes and work at the Nova Scotia Provincial Library, Sackville Public Library and Nova Scotia Records Management Unit at the same time. His hard work paid off and he graduated at the top of the class in 1993. After graduation Brent worked with the Province of Nova Scotia, setting up and running the Nova Scotia Records Management Resource Centre which later included the Information Technology and Management Resource Centre. Once the Resource Centre was established he moved to the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, Special Prosecution Service to work on the Westray Mine Case. In 1997 the newly amalgamated Halifax Regional Municipality needed help in setting up a corporate library and Brent accepted the position of Information Analyst which he still holds. Last year Brent was finally able to put his Bachelor of Education to good use teaching Records Management I and II at Halifax Campus. Not one to shy away from a challenge he has recently started teaching Records Management I over the web and, despite some early trepidation, enjoys it immensely. If you would like more information about LIT please contact Marlene Mortimore at [log in to unmask] or visit the NSCC web site at http://www.nscc.ns.ca/programs/LibraryandInformationTechnology.html. Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Process In other news, Marlene Mortimore, Instructor, Halifax Campus, is developing a short, web-based course on "Preparing for PLAR" which will be available in January 2001. PLAR stands for "prior learning assessment and recognition" and refers to knowledge and skills acquired at work or through other life experiences. Nova Scotia Community College grants credits for such knowledge and skills and, although many library workers in the LIT Program are eligible, some have found it difficult to complete the required documentation without some guidance. The cost of the course will be covered by the PLAR fee. Gillian Webster attended a discussion/exploration of the PLAR process on October 19 in Halifax. The Metro Council on Continuing Education presented the workshop in partnership with the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Centre, which focused on the advantages for employers, educational institutions and learners of engaging in the PLA process. The Council is an organization for people interested in adult learning. Member organizations offer literacy instruction, computer training, English as a Second Language, and university and community college continuing education. For more information on the Council, email [log in to unmask] or phone/fax: 889-3552. Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) focuses on the evaluation of experiential learning as outlined above. For more information about PLAR, contact the Coordinator of Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition, Marie Desjardines - email: [log in to unmask]; phone: 491-6727; fax: 491-4828. General information about PLA and upcoming events can be found at http://placentre.ns.ca/events.htm. NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION STUDIES (SLIS) Business-to-Consumer (B2C) web sites This month the focus of our column is research being done by Louise Spiteri. She notes that a recent survey indicates that close to 75% of Business-to-Consumer (B2C) web sites fail to provide consumers with sufficient information with which to make an informed purchase. Specifically, B2C tend to lack good information design, i.e., information is not organized or presented in a way that allows consumers to locate easily what they need. Using principles derived from classification and cataloguing theory, this study will examine and evaluate (a) Internet search engines/directories that facilitate access to B2C sites, and (b) the informational design of a selection of B2C sites. The findings from this study will provide an analysis of the current design mechanisms used in the construction of Internet search directories like Yahoo!, AltaVista, etc., as well as suggestions for improved search engine design. The templates used to evaluate the B2C sites could be used by Web designers in the construction, assessment, and maintenance of B2C sites. Student assistants will conduct searches to find target populations of search directories and B2C sites, and will assist in the evaluation of the information structure of the B2C sites. This research activity should serve to supplement the students' online searching and their understanding and application of basic classification and cataloguing principles. Scottish Practicums for SLIS Students Every SLIS student takes part in a practicum designed to give the students valuable real-world experience. In cooperation with the National Library of Scotland (NLS) and, in particular, with the help of Kevin Halliwell at the NLS, SLIS students Stuart Boon and Megan Butcher undertook their practicums this past summer in Edinburgh, Scotland. As a legal deposit library, the National Library of Scotland has existed since 1710. Its collections, dating back to the 9th century, now comprise nearly 8 million items held within the library's three Edinburgh buildings. At the NLS, the students were able to experience everything from the acquisition of modern texts and media to the conservation and preservation of ancient, one-of-a-kind manuscripts. The students also had the opportunity to visit other Scottish libraries in Glasgow, Dundee, and Aberdeen. Outstanding Alumni Award The Associated Alumni of Dalhousie University's School of Library and Information Studies is pleased to announce that Marilyn Rennick, Class of '76, is the first recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award for the year 2000. The award was presented to Marilyn at a reception in Halifax, October 13, 2000. Since graduating from Dalhousie in 1976, Marilyn Rennick has held a variety of positions with the University of Ottawa. In her current position as Government Information Specialist, her responsibilities encompass collections development and bibliographic instruction. Earlier in the day, Marilyn gave a public talk, "2004 - An Electronic Odyssey: The Transition to Digital Government Information" at the Dalhousie School of Library and Information Studies. Future columns will highlight other projects ongoing at the School. For further information about these or any other SLIS activities and programmes contact the Director, Bertrum MacDonald, at [log in to unmask], (902) 494-2472 or visit the web site at: http://www.mgmt.dal.ca/slis. NOVA SCOTIA PROVINCIAL LIBRARY NEWS Reference Contacts Meeting On October 20, the Provincial Library hosted a meeting of the Reference Contacts Group. This group includes representatives from each region who are involved in the delivery of reference service. The Group looked at the databases that are included in the regional libraries consortium license to see if they continue to meet the information needs of the staff and the public. Trials are currently underway to evaluate additions to the license. Penny Logan presented the new Medical Society of Nova Scotia web site, whose address is http://www.doctorsns.com, and talked about the Society's philosophy behind the site. The Society is committed to providing access to consumer health information and working with regional libraries will provide some very good promotional opportunities. Training Notes The beginning of October saw ECRL staff finish implementing the Circulation module in a few branches. Training at CEHRL focused on placing holds on books ordered through the acquisition module while PARL received their introduction to automated acquisitions. Patrice Robitaille from DRA visited the Nova Scotia Provincial Library and provided a brief of TAOS, the future successor to the current MultiLis system. Automation Training in November includes Acquisitions module training for SSRL and CBRL. Cape Breton Regional Library staff will also be spending some time on their Policy Management module. Joanne McCarthy from Halifax Regional Library and Gillian Webster from Nova Scotia Provincial Library visited the Yarmouth Headquarters of WCRL and provided workshops on Genealogy and Job Searching on the Web to eight staff on October 23. The new Gates computer lab was used, and the visitors were impressed by the number of bookings made by the public already, noting that there is a regular seniors' group session. Similarly, Debbie Costelo from the Nova Scotia Community College Library visited the Yarmouth Headquarters of WCRL and provided a workshop on The Reference Interview to 11 staff on October 30. Carol Morris and Frank Oram from Nova Scotia Provincial Library will visit the Yarmouth Headquarters of WCRL and provide workshops on Business Sources and Current Awareness to 14 staff on November 20. HOT TIPS & UPDATES NS Regional Libraries Designated Community Access Program (CAP) Sites At their meeting on October 23, the Committee responsible for overseeing the CAP management agreement between Industry Canada and Nova Scotia accepted a proposal from the Council of Regional Librarians that would see all regional library branches in the province designated as CAP sites. This decision will see a strengthened partnership between libraries and the Community Access Program and better integration of public access opportunities for citizens across the province. Libraries will now be eligible to participate in any programmes aimed at CAP sites, such as delivery of government services. The Community Access Program comes to an end on March 31, 2001. CAP designation for libraries greatly increases the geographic range and economic sustainability of the program. For further information, please contact Michael Colborne, [log in to unmask] Teleconference - Interpreting and Applying Library Service Policies Friday, November 17, 2000, from 4pm to 6pm, the Nova Scotia Provincial Library will provide viewing of the teleconference The Public and Policies: Interpreting and Applying Library Service Policies. During the teleconference presenter Debra Wilcox Johnson, of Johnson & Johnson Training Consultants, will examine, define and compare library service policies. Debra Wilcox Johnson will explore the role of library staff in influencing service policies, by analyzing policy development and implementation, and customer service. Registration is on a first come first serve basis, to a maximum of 50 people. Admission is free. For more information please contact Bernadette Kennedy by phone (424-3791) or email [log in to unmask] Keep an eye out for upcoming teleconferences - Human values in a Technological Age (to be aired January 19, 2001) and Agents, Bots and Intelligent dots: The Technology Behind Electronic Document (to be aired March 23, 2001). WHERE THEY ARE NOW This article continues our series of introducing some of the people who work or have worked in the Nova Scotia regional public library system over the years. This month we have two first-hand accounts, one from Terri Tomchyshyn, who worked at Nova Scotia Provincial Library (NSPL) quite some time ago, and the other from Michael Vandenburg, who also worked at NSPL, but more recently. If you would like to see someone in profile (who works or has worked in any capacity in the regional public library system), please give us your suggestions! Contact Gillian Webster at [log in to unmask] or phone: 902-424-2478. Part I: RoweCom Canada came calling Terri Tomchyshyn worked at NSPL between 1982-84 as the Regional Reference Librarian with then Provincial Librarian Carin Somers, and the Canadian Library Association Past-President Lorraine McQueen. She sent in the following report: "I enjoyed the job at NSPL because I was able to work with all the regional librarians and libraries in the province. It gave me a whole new appreciation for public libraries - particularly those in rural areas. After leaving Nova Scotia, I worked at the Saskatoon Public Library as the Legal Librarian, before moving onto Ottawa where I worked for the Canadian Library Association as Director of Professional Development. I met and got to know many of our best librarians and leaders around the country there. I have worked in the federal government at Human Resources Development Commission where I developed the Canadian Clearinghouse on Disability Issues, and then moved on to the National Literacy Secretariat. These were non-traditional type positions where my skills as a librarian were put to use managing and organizing the information needs of specialized programmes. RoweCom Canada came calling last fall and persuaded me to make the leap to the "private sector." I am lucky now to be working from my home office in hi-tech Kanata right next door to the Corel Centre, home of the Ottawa Senators! I realized that I have come full circle in my career. I am back, so to speak, "working" in Nova Scotia as my sales territory encompasses Atlantic Canada and the Ottawa Hull area. Most of the Nova Scotia regional libraries are RoweCom Canada clients, as is the Nova Scotia Provincial Library, so I have been re-acquainting myself with current library issues in the province and with former colleagues who are now clients. What a pleasure for me to be back! I am particularly looking forward to my first NSLA Conference in over 15 years and enjoyed participating as a vendor at APLA at St.FX last spring! My husband, Brent Taylor, is a Maritimer so we do find ourselves in Nova Scotia on holidays to visit his family with our two daughters 12 year old Larissa and 7 year old Adriana. Brent is a high school teacher and this year will be responsible for the school library after teaching English and creative writing for the last couple of years. It seems his years of working on the reference desk at St. Mary's University will come in handy as he finishes his certification! When I am not on the road, I sit on the board of directors of a local day care centre that will be developing a fund raising campaign for a new centre, and I am active in a women's business network that meets once a month for breakfast. Watch for my omnibus review of childrens' dictionaries in ALA's Reference Books Bulletin inside Booklist. I am a member of ALA's Budget Analysis Review Committee and chair the Literacy Assembly, and this year I have been nominated to run for ALA Council. I believe ALL libraries can play a role in literacy activities, be it in the development of library related programming, rooms for tutoring, workplace literacy programmes, use of our expertise in organizing information, knowledge of collection building, and much more. If librarians don't concern themselves with literacy issues - they will lose a huge opportunity to turn a large segment of the population into avid readers and knowledgeable consumers of information as well as creating new library users and supporters." Feel free to contact Terri at [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] Work Tel: 613.831.4511; Fax 613.831.1277. Part II: The allure of The Philadelphia Free Library Michael Vandenburg, who has taken up a position at the Philadelphia Free Library, a system with 55 branches, sent in this first-hand report: "One of the things that struck Mary Claire and I as soon as we got here was how polite complete strangers were. It was the height of spring when we arrived at the beginning of April, with magnolias blooming and flowers sprouting everywhere. Anyway, every time I sneezed there would be a chorus of "God bless you!" from all sides. The God part seemed a bit odd to me until I realized that religion is more public here. Everything is, and coming to work I noticed that people just speak their minds here, too. I'm often struck by the similarities between my work in Nova Scotia and here. The biggest difference between the library systems is the funding. A friend from Halifax that Mary Claire and I met in Washington D.C. last weekend pointed out that there's something a little contradictory about it. I mean, we're supposed to have more socialist leanings in Canada and provide more services for the public. However, one of the first things I noticed here is that there's a seemingly unlimited amount of money for public institutions like the library. The thing they can't seem to get enough of is people. But in many other regards, the situation here is quite a lot like that of Nova Scotia. The libraries are working on practical ways to start integrating electronic resources like websites into their catalog, and are bringing school libraries into the mix. I have a number of classes that I teach to library staff, showing them how to use online databases and library software, and I do some time on our helpdesk. It's an actual desk here that's staffed all day by people who troubleshoot problems, fix them when they can, and forward them to specialists when they can't. It seems pretty efficient at first glance, but because of staff shortages, there's still big lapses of time before a lot of problems get fixed. Right now my involvement with the automation software is pretty limited, and my attentions are focused on web development. I've got this great project where I'm developing a web application that will allow staff to create and edit training materials online. It's a lot of fun, and similar to the extranet project that I was working with Rod Tucker on before I left NSPL. In fact, I'm enjoying this web development so much that I may try to make it my full time position here. Mary Claire enjoys her position here as well. Her work environment is quite a bit different than mine. She's in a smaller branch that is quite close to our home, while I commute downtown to the Central branch. Her branch was recently renovated, and has a lot of new furnishings and windows whereas I'm in a dingy IT basement with a limited view. Mary Claire is the children's librarian at her branch, and had a real surprise when she got here. It's no rural NS high school library! She's swamped with kids all day, and is constantly running to keep up. The summer reading programme at her branch involved something like 750 children, and she only had a couple of teen helpers to keep them under control. On the other hand, she's been able to do some really interesting programming, like a traditional Japanese Kamishiba storytime complete with origami instruction, and a teddybear picnic with scores of toddlers marching around on the library lawn. The system has some great corporate involvement here, with the giant drug company Smith Kline and Beacham sponsoring a Science in the Summer programme that gets almost as many children as the summer reading programme. I think that Mary Claire figures that if she can survive here, that working in any other library system will feel like a vacation! Just a note to anyone who needs the work, they're dying for children's librarians here and can't seem to get enough of us Canadians." Anyone who wishes to get in contact with Michael, can e- mail him at [log in to unmask] REFERENCE ON THE NET Here are some more reference questions referred to the Provincial Library by the Regional Public Libraries. They were answered from resources found on the Internet. Q. What are the health effects of lead poisoning? A. At the web site of The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety at http://www.ccohs.ca follow the links OSH Answers/Chemicals & Materials/Chemical Profiles/Lead and finally click on "Health Effects of Lead" which provides answers to this question. Q. How do you treat logs to make them burn with coloured flames? A. The keywords "logs colored flames" were entered at the Google search engine site at http://www.google.com. Among the results were three useful articles on how to do this: "How To Color Fireplace Flames" at http://www.makestuff.com/flames.html on the makestuff.com web site at http://www.makestuff.com. "Colored Fire Products Brighten Winter Flames" by Jack Drewes on the American Fireworks News site at http://www.fireworksnews.com/flames.htm. "How You Can Color Fireplace Flames" on freewell.com: The Online Library of Free Reports at http://www.freewell.com/freereports/household/58.html. LINKed This month's Linked column features some resources which have been put on the Internet specifically for the use of library staff. It was difficult to narrow done the choices since there are a number of very good sites by and for information professionals which have sprung up on the web. LibraryNet:RéseauBiblio at http://www.schoolnet.ca/ln-rb is a bilingual site which brings together information about libraries in Canada. It was developed by Canadian librarians in cooperation with Industry Canada. The site has links to The Internet Guide, a free Web-based course for library staff from the University of Toronto and GRIF (Guide de ressources Internet francophone) which is a French Internet guide. The "Links for Librarians" section has resources on librarianship as well as on a large number of other topics which are useful for reference. Other links are to Canadian Libraries and Library Schools, Canadian Library Organizations, Provincial Government Library Services, International Libraries. There is Information on Funding and Promotion of libraries and Information on What Libraries Are Doing Online including "Best Practices" an annual report begun in 1997 on Innovative Internet use in Canadian public libraries. Another feature is a newsletter, LibraryNet Monthly which you can subscribe to by e-mail or read at the site and a searchable archive of issues going back to July 1998. Library Reference Center at http://www.epnet.com/lrc.html is a database on the EBSCO Publishing site which has indexing and abstracts for over 30 journals in the field of Library and Information Science. It can be searched here for free. LibrarySpot.com at http://www.libraryspot.com is a highly acclaimed site which brings professional information for library staff and general reference sites together. It is published by StartSpot Mediaworks, Inc. in the Northwestern University/Evanston ResearchPark, Evanston, Ill. and is an American-oriented site but there are lots of reference links which Canadian library staff will find useful. The site provides a gateway to more than 5000 libraries around the world. The Librarian's Shelf near the bottom of the main page has links to relevant resources for information professionals. The site also Features a "Library Site of the Month" and a "Reference Site of the Month." Librarians' Resource Centre at http://www.sla.org/chapter/ctor/toolbox/resource/index.html is produced by the Toronto Chapter of the Special Libraries Association. The main page has a search box at the top of it with clear search instructions. You can use this to locate annotated reference sources which the site has links to. If the frames version bothers you, you can click on "No Frames" near the Search Box for the frameless version. The site also has links to sites with professional development resources and internet/intranet web page development tools. Innovative Internet Applications in Libraries at http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/innovate.html is provided by Kathy Leeds, Wilton Library Association, Wilton, Connecticut. It provides links to examples of how libraries are making best use of the Internet. The links are arranged by categories such as "Ages & Stages," "Book and Reading Lists," "Local Databases," "Newsletters," "Tutorials/Guides" and "Virtual Reference Desks." Web sites which were featured in previous "Linked" columns are now arranged by subject category on the Reference Services page of the Provincial Library web site at http://www.library.ns.ca/provlib/brochure/refser.html. If you have any suggestions about future topics for this column please contact Carol Morris at [log in to unmask] PROFESSIONAL READING In this month's column, two books on the subject of fundraising for libraries are featured. These items can be borrowed through regular interlibrary loan channels. Please send requests via email to Dale MacMillan at [log in to unmask] Craft, Mary Anne. The funding game: rules for public library advocacy. Lantham, Md, Scarecrow Press, 1999. [ Call # Prof 027.21 Cra ] This book is a compilation of exemplary public library innovations, team projects, partnerships, and marketing efforts in 30 U.S. public libraries of various sizes. The author presents a number of concepts and methods for recasting a library's funding advocacy efforts. By effective use of examples, the author -Mary Anne Craft -shows that service, accountability and community relations are the key issues in securing needed funds. Steele, Victoria. Becoming a fundraiser: the principles and practice of library development. 2nd edition. Chicago: American Library Association, 2000. [ Call #: Prof 025.11 Ste ] The central theme of this revised edition is that raising funds will be imperative to the growth and maintenance of first-rate libraries. This book is intended as a one stop resource to give readers the tools needed to bring development and fundraising skills up to a level necessary to lead effective campaigns. The authors attempt to show the reader how to set meaningful goals, build a winning development team, develop donor profiles and prospects, communicate a library's mission and approach major donors with confidence and specificity. Credits go to: Stuart Boon, School of Library and Information Studies, Dalhousie University Sarah Hainsworth, Education Media Librarian, Learning Resources and Technology Michael Jeffrey, Director, Learning Resources and Technology Heidi Julien, School of Library and Information Studies, Dalhousie University Marlene Mortimore, Library And Information Technology (LIT) Program, Nova Scotia Community College Terri Tomchyshyn, RoweCom Canada Michael Vandenburg, Philadelphia Free Library, Philadelphia