Webinars in Brief

User Experience Design for Web Services
Presented by San José Public Library Digital Futures Manager Sarah Houghton-Jan

My favorite tips were:

1. To test usability, have users solve a problem using your website.

2. Keep the site current by continually updating it, rather than changing the site only as an annual activity. (Erica does this very well!)

3. “Be less wordy.”

4. Recommended the use of Google Analytics (free) for analyzing traffic on the site.

5. Label consistently. (I think that the FCL website does this well.)

6. Your audience varies, so teenage students may comprise a large % of our users, but GenXers and even baby boomers returning to school will use the site, too.

7. Another tip that was interesting: “Your user isn’t you or your boss.”

New ProQuest Administrator Module w/ CCL Administrators

ProQuest is migrating to a new platform. The new version promises to provide improved reports (counts, activities, usage).

Conference Highlights: California Library Association Annual Conference, 2010

Library Journal Movers & Shakers Closing General Session:
Passion, Imagination, & Leadership

I participated in a panel presentation featuring California’s 2010 Library Journal Movers & Shakers at the Sacramento Convention Center, from 10:30-11:45am, on November 15, 2010. Other participants included: Technical/Electronic Services Librarian Liana Juliano for Nossaman, LLP, also a lecturer for San Jose State University, honored in the Community Builders category; Digital Collections Services Librarian Bonnie Tijerina, University of California, Los Angeles, honored in the Tech Leaders category; and Federal Librarian Virginia Sanchez, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, honored in the Advocates category. Interestingly, all panel members earned library degrees in the 21st century. The event was moderated by California Center for the Book Director Mary Menzel, and planned by Senior Account Executive at Association Resource Center Holly Macriss and California Library Association President Kim Bui-Burton.

Library Ideas

• Each semester assign students a personal librarian.
• Offer a drop-in class re: the use of iGoogle to better organize information searching.
• Offer a drop-in session re: the use of edublogs.
• Post links to faculty publications on the library Web site or blog (http://www.lib.jmu.edu/).
• Create an RSS feed for library information or blog.
• Is Fullerton College Library collecting Japanese manga at a lower rate than American comics? This is a trend that presenters recommend reversing.
• To promote library services, use emerging and established technologies like: digital storytelling, slideshows (like Animoto, SlideShare), Hulu, Wordle, wikis, LibGuides, Moodle, del.icio.us, Shelfari, federated microblogging, and value-added catalogs (including user reviews and tagging). (The latter item is the most relevant item for Fullerton College Library.)
o Make library Web site mobile-friendly (Boopsie).
o Phone blogging = phlogging

Presentation Ideas

After observing four days of sessions, I have a few ideas to share re: presenting well.
• Begin by asking audience, “At what level would you like to start?” (I.e. would participants prefer to begin at intermediate level?) Assuming that the audience is at the lowest level is not logical among an audience of librarians.

Presentation Ideas (cont.)

• Work through tech glitches. When the PowerPoint fails or the connection is slow, do not complain, but use the time as an opportunity to more thoroughly explain a concept, or to request audience input and questions.
• When making the presentation into a game --- request volunteers --- rather than moving in a linear path from person to person. Participants should choose to participate, rather than being forced to do so.
• If an audience member inquires about a kink in the presentation, be gracious and explain your methodology. (Do not attack audience member for asking a question!)

Conference Session Sampler

SMACKDOWN! Fast & Furious Web 2.0
Moderated by Fullerton Teacher/Librarian Marie Slim, this discussion considered top Web 2.0 tools for library instruction, including VoiceThread and ZooBurst (example @ http://www.zooburst.com/zb_books-viewer.php?book=zb0_4ccf82b8bed48). A few minutes of this presentation available via: http://www.youtube.com/user/cslasouthernsection#p/a/u/1/Z0_OsJPLJOQ

Improving Your Library’s Technology Tool Bag
Web conferencing software options (OoVoo, DimDim, Skype, WebEx), suggested screencast options (i.e. Wolfram Alpha), improving mobile Web applications (including Boopsie, Mashable). The PowerPoint is available via:
https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=0AenTIpMkaJrjZGcyMnNycnhfNDRmOHRrdGRnOA&hl=en. 

Top 10 Strategies to Enhance Communication in Virtual Reference
This session considered how to improve virtual reference interactions by using tools like Jing, Awesome Highlighter, and YouTube. Awesome Highlighter is a tool that FCL has not yet implemented, but is easily installed using the bookmarklet. This free tool enhances screen captures.

Using iGoogle to Create Your Personal Learning Space
Tips and tricks for managing iGoogle. A few minutes of this presentation available via: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw8DU5D4rsM

Additional conference presentations available via:
http://baya.org/cla2010.html & http://www.youtube.com/user/cslasouthernsection#p/u

November in Review

November in Review

News
1. Sponsored by YALSA --- $1,000 for the American Library Association Emerging Leaders program.
2. Joined Fullerton College Library Hiring Committee.
3. Presented at California Library Association Annual Conference (and wrote CLA conference report).
4. Invited to present at VRA/ARLIS-NA Joint Conference 2011 (Visual Resources Association/Art Libraries Society of North America).

Instruction
Prepared to teach 6 classes for 4 instructors:
1. Taught 2 library orientation sessions for Kemp’s READ 36. For this class, altered my basic PowerPoint to include information re: the CountryWatch database.
2. Taught 1 library orientation session for Kominek’s ENG 100.
3. Volunteered to teach last-minute class for Flores, ENG 100.
4. Taught 2 library orientation sessions for Chapman’s ENG 36. For this class, altered basic PowerPoint according to the suggestions provided by Chapman at our meeting.

Meetings
1. Presented items at librarian business meeting, including the art contest flyer that I created using Publisher 2007.
2. Participated in NOCCCD training for hiring committee members.
3. Anaheim: Participated in Konica-Minolta open-house with Hoang.
4. Planned and participated in meetings between Veloz, Hoang, and Acierno, and copy vendors CBE, QCI, and Xerox. (Also corresponded via e-mail re: library copy needs.) Received 3 proposals and ran these by O’Connor and March.
5. Met with Konica-Minolta vendors to briefly discuss bidding. (Also corresponded via e-mail re: library copy needs.)
6. Attended SharePoint meeting.
7. Met with hiring committee.
8. With Boll, met with Fullerton College Foundation.
9. Met with Boll, Hoang, and Oberlin (2 times each).

Archives
1. Changed a couple archives items on Web site (following meeting with Ishibashi re: archives Web site).
2. Participated in meeting re: archives (with Boll, Brown, Ishibashi, and Braden).

Acquisitions Department
1. Selected McNaughton titles.
2. Coordinated with database vendors, including JSTOR, to procure pricing estimates and free trials.
3. Worked with IT Project Leader, Rippe, and CountryWatch rep, Sanditen to re-establish off-campus access to CountryWatch via MyGateway.
4. Conference call with Thomson-West to discuss saving money on legal resources.
5. Met with and e-mailed potential periodical and book donors.

Reference and Student Assistance
1. Provided impromptu 30-minute one-on-one research session for a student.
2. Assisted students with research queries at both reference desks.
3. Interacted with students at podium and help desk.

Projects
Collaborated with librarians and English Department faculty member, England, to name a winner of the Banned Books Week Animoto video contest, and to share information between the two parties regarding standards for submission of clips to the library Web site.

October-in-Review

October in Review

A sampling of the numerous activities integrated into a very busy month @ the library!

News

· Accepted into American Library Association Emerging Leaders program. (Completed related activities such as registration for American Library Association 2011 conferences.)

· Joined Fullerton College Library Technology Committee.

Instruction

Taught 7 classes for 3 instructors:

· Taught 2 library orientation sessions for England’s ENG 100. For this class, prepared a unique/new PowerPoint honed to the subject of banned books.

· Taught 1 library orientation session for Kominek’s ENG 100. Edited PowerPoint to reflect the research topic, Thinking Radically.

· Taught 2 library orientation sessions for Kemp’s ENG 36.

· Taught 2 drop-in library sessions using the Evaluating Web Sites PowerPoint and handout that I created (and honed to include colleagues’ suggestions).

Meetings

· Participated in all-day WESTPAS Scenario Planning & Collaboration Among Libraries & Archives to Improve Disaster Preparedness for Collections meeting.

· Met with three instructors: Chapman; Markley re: anthropology resources; and briefly, Kemp.

· Participated in New Faculty Follow-up Session.

· Participated in 3 librarian meetings.

Archives

· Co-interviewed intern for archives.

· Participated in meeting re: archives.

Tenure

· Completed tenure review portfolio.

· Taught 2 classes observed by Tenure Committee members.

Acquisitions Department

· Nominated three staffers for Classified Employee Recognition.

Student Assistance

· Assisted students with research queries at both reference desks.

· Interacted with students at podium.

· Assisted at help desk.

Projects

· Compared/Charted pricing of emergency supplies.

· Looked into Gates grant for colleges.

Flex

· Attended Dia de los Muertos Celebration in quad.

· Attended Dia de los Muertos opening at Fullerton College Art Gallery, El Carnaval de las Calaveras.

September in Review

Instruction

• Created new PowerPoint and hand-out for Web evaluation workshops.
• Altered my library orientation PowerPoint for each class.
• Observed Jill’s library orientation.

Collection Development

Began database acquisitions management.

• Contacted appropriate vendors re: free trials, etc.
• Gained final approval from dean and librarians for annual renewal of several databases.

Outreach

• Met with English instructor (England) to plan library orientations.
• Discussed plans with instructor (Kemp) for library orientation classes.
• Completed interview with Nancy Ikeda for FCSD Road Report: http://campaign.r20.Constant contact.com/render?llr=y5wehfcab&v=0012ndadPBmR-J8K0XddRxwcYpyLkH2yg-FzaYz1 cMyNm1sdx3cF3haebksTfKcp20ZymQR_cB6YndP3zVY4qJYOLHj_yCGq0ctei4lkNuikTQ%3D

Information Sharing

• Provided editing suggestions for the library accreditation self-study.
• Updated wiki list of opening procedures.
• Assisted at reference desk #1, #2, and help desk.

Meetings

• Organized 3 meetings with copier vendors.
• Attained information to fax to assist with bidding.
• Maintained communication with Olivia and Darin.
• Participated in 2 librarian business meetings.
• Conducted 3 acquisitions staff meetings, including Oanh, Masumi, & Betsy.
• Met with Jane 2 * (re: archives and emergency planning).
• Worked with Chris Fighera to produce answers for WESTPAS self-review.
• Met with Erica 3 * (re: systems matters/teaching).
• Met with Jackie 2* (re: acquisitions).
• Met with Dave 1 * (re: database acquisitions).

           

Tenure Review

• Maintained tenure review Web page: acquisitionslibrarian.blogspot.com.
• Met with Tenure Review Committee.
• Began tenure review folder.

Professional Development

• Invited by California Library Association (CLA) president to present as a panel member for the closing session of the CLA Annual Conference.
• Prepared grant application for Staff Development Committee, awarded $700 (pending final approval).
• Planned for California Library Association conference, inc. booking flight/hotel.

Yes, I'm looking forward to ALA New Orleans, but in the immediate future, I will be attending the 2010 California Library Association (CLA) Annual Conference, November 12-15, in Sacramento, California. It is gratifying that the CLA president personally contacted and invited me to present as a panel member for the conference closing session. 
Conference attendance will allow:

• Contribution to the body of knowledge.
• Networking with technology professionals and California community college library colleagues. 
• Increased learning and networking as related to grants research, a particular interest that I plan to pursue on behalf of the Fullerton College Library. Since 2005, grants that I have written have generated approximately $75,000.00 in monies for libraries.
• Contribution to the committee to which I belong, Reference and User Services Association, Reference Services Section, Library Services to the Spanish-Speaking Population. This committee addresses services to the Spanish-speaking, and directly relates to the first core value of Fullerton College.
• Participation in the panel presentation for the closing session.

Adherence to the Fullerton College Vision and authorized uses:

• Also included in the college vision (and the initial authorized use) is an emphasis on quality educational offerings. This conference includes workshops and presentations that will enhance pedagogical skills.
• Authorized use number seven perfectly encapsulates the primary focus of CLA Annual 2010. Titled Navigating the New, this conference permits California librarians to coalesce in Sacramento, excited about sharing knowledge regarding tech trends.
•    Both the vision of the college and authorized use number six include the concept of lifelong learning --- this conference provides an opportunity for me, as an instructor, to continue to learn.

My expectation is that attendance of these conference workshops will assist me in sharing the role of information literacy in the classroom with campus teachers. I expect to be of greater assistance in shaping clear student learning outcomes as related to information literacy skills; determining the progress of these outcomes; and, demonstrating the manner in which these objectives increase student learning. The beneficiary of increased information literacy skills is the student body, as these skills assist students in making the connections among their courses.

Monthly Report for (½) Month of August

Outreach
Contacted three instructors (Kominek, Ison, England, Vincent) to discuss plans for library orientation classes.

Meetings
Met with Masumi, Betsy, Oanh, Jill, Dave & Jackie, Erica & Jackie, Jackie (twice), Erica (twice), and Jane (twice). Also, practiced using the classroom PA system with Dave.

Instruction
• Creating PowerPoint for Web evaluation workshops.
• Began a new Web evaluation hand-out that will complement the PowerPoint.

Trainings
• NOCCCD (all-day training)
• Staff Development (all-day training)
• FLEX day

Information Sharing
Assisted students at reference desk, help desk, info tent, and info podium.

Collection Development
• Began reading/digesting the collection development survey (through H).
• Contacted two persons who wrote Ask a Librarian re: items to add to the collection.