The STLS Coordinated Outreach Services Advisory Council (COSAC) is pleased to announce they have awarded funding to eleven STLS libraries through the 2017 Outreach Mini-Grant program. COSAC is an advisory group made up of area individuals and human services professional representing these target populations: Seniors People who are Blind or who have a Physical Disability
Category Archives: Public Services
Did you know that STLS loans out various resources to assist you with conducting programs within your library? Some of the items currently available include button makers (both 1 3/4 and 2 1/2 in), Ozobots (small programmable robots that encourage the development of basic coding skills) and a 3D printer. One of the newest editions to our list
I am sure at one time or another, you have helped out a library user requiring some type of job seeking assistance within your library. It may have been helping them create or improve a resume or cover letter, discover a new career, or answer questions on the dos and don’ts of a successful job interview. An indispensable tool to
I recently sat in on a webinar entitled, Striving for Accessibility in Library Services, presented by Nazely Kurkjian, Coordinator of Disability, Diversity, and Nontraditional Student Services from the State University of New York. The webinar focused primarily on accessibility within digital services. Here are a few things to know and share. Social Model of Disability (as opposed to
For those of you who were unable to attend Camille Andrew’s program on library space design at the STLS Annual Meeting, I thought I would provide some information from her presentation. User Study Methods Camille discussed various methods for getting feedback from patrons on your library space. One idea was to have individuals provide a sketch
I recently sat in a on a conference call in which one of the topics of discussion was Project Outcome. I would like to provide a few details with regards to this new initiative from the Public Library Association. What is it? Project Outcome is a tool that helps public libraries understand and share the impact of
Just over a year ago, I presented some information on MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and how they fit in the public library’s efforts to promote continuous learning (a related blog article is available here). A more recent development in this area is the availability of a Facilitator Handbook for Learning Circles (https://www.p2pu.org/assets/uploads/learning_circle_downloads/facilitator_handbook.pdf) created by Chicago Public
According to a recent Pew Research Report, 62% of U.S. adults get news on social media. Most (44%) say they get news from Facebook, followed by YouTube and Twitter. Of those who get news on at least one of the social media sites, 64% get news on just one (most commonly Facebook). What does this mean for
This week, Lorie and I have been working on getting things together for a maker event, Making on a Dime, to be held at the Delevan-Yorkshire Public Library. Our efforts have included the purchase of materials, research, brainstorming and some tinkering. As I type this post, I am even printing an object on our 3D printer for
The Pew Research Center recently published a report on Libraries and Learning. Here are some key takeaways from the report: The Good The report shows that 76% of American adults feel that libraries serve the educational needs of their communities (71% say they serve their own personal needs and the needs of their families). Also, an overwhelming
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