May 17 Meeting Minutes
TOPIC: Alabama Public Library Service & Online Readers' Advisory Tools
Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Amanda, EOL
Susan, Trussville
Ramona, Leeds
Holley, EOL
Eric, EOL
Jon, Avondale
Bridget, Homewood
Kelly, Springville
David, BPL, Fiction
Deidre, Bessemer
Maura, Trussville
Gregory, EOL
New website: http://aplsws1.apls.state.al.us/aplsnew/
Speaker: Alex Perry
Mission: Expand and support local capacity to ensure high level of library service.
- Facilitate state aid and LSTA funding
- Provide resources and services to libraries
- Focus on libraries with limited resources and staff
- Statewide database licensing
- Library development consulting staff
- Training and professional development material
- Book club sets
- Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (BPH)
Statewide databases:
- Ancestry Library Edition
- Chilton Library
- Homework Alabama
- Learning Express
- AVL database training
- Member of advisory council
- Not directly responsible for content but will provide training on request
Library Development:
- Consultant for each congressional district
- Serves the needs of the region
- Annual visits
- Host/organize regional meetups
- Area of expertise:
- E.g. state aid, library statistics, CD, children's and adult programming, library advocacy, Friends and foundations
- Training and other assistance
- Agency contact
Professional Development:
- Extensive collection of library professional development materials
- 200 items added since 2016
- Wide coverage of all major library topics, including programming, finances and fundraising, and collection development
- Available to you through institutional loan (3 months)
- Updated annually
- Suggestions encouraged
- Non-library professional development materials
- Resumes, cover letters, job searching
- Software guides (Word, Excel, Mac, Windows, Linux, coding, etc.)
- Hardware guides (handhelds, PC, Mac, etc.)
Book Club Sets:
- Large collection of book club sets
- 140 sets of (usually) ten available for extended loans
- Institutional loan
- Additions coming in the summer
- Suggestions and donations welcome
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
- Statewide service
- Receive Talking Books and player through the mail
- Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) materials include books, magazines, and music
- 87,000 titles
- Reader advisor assigned to each patron
- Application for BPH Services: https://www.loc.gov/nls/enrollment-equipment/apply-for-nls-service/
- Register for BARD services: https://www.loc.gov/nls/enrollment-equipment/register-for-bard-get-bard-mobile/
- Contact BPH at (334) 213-3906 or bph@apls.state.al.us
APLS Reference team
- Request specific database training
- Acquisitions suggestions
- Answer reference questions for you/patrons
- Phone (334) 213-3920
- Email reference@apls.state.al.us
- Web form: http://aplsws1.apls.state.al.us/aplsnew/content/askalibrarian
Shannon's APLS meeting notes:
- It is worth your time to check out the APLS website and see what is in their collections.
- Staff at APLS can come to your library and do "Train the trainer", meaning they will come and train you on any of the provided databases enabling YOU to become the trainer for your library -- covering the basics and getting into advanced training too.
- APLS provides benchmarking for a number of very important public library-related topics such as going fine free or various statewide initiatives. Their staff will put in the hours needed to help you make an informed decision.
- If you are not sure what to do for Alabama's Bicentennial celebration, contact APLS! They have a great many resources you can use in your library including traveling exhibits.
- Staff will also train on using the Alabama Virtual Library.
- Their consultants are the backbone of the institution. They love to do reference work! For instance, Dale Shelton (Children's services consultant) had done a lot of research and planning for storytime's for autistic children.
Next Topic: Online Readers' Advisory Tools
With the help of Holley Wesley from the Readers' Advisory Roundtable, we compiled a fairly comprehensive list of links and websites that provide various services such as simple book news, award winning titles, book club recommendations, newsletters for specific genres, and sites providing algorithms for the book lover. The Excel spreadsheet is available on Google Docs at this link: https://goo.gl/NM7cpc
When I send out the meeting minutes reminder, I will also include the Excel spreadsheet for your general use!
