Blog Archives
Friday Reads – Nothing Edition
It’s been a busy couple of weeks. We are finally going to offer eBooks to our public via OverDrive beginning next week. It only took 18 months from ‘Yes we want it’ to ‘It’s ready to go’. That took a little too long for my liking but it was above my pay grade and I wasn’t involved.
Now that a launch is imminent I have become intimately involved with the process. I have visited (or will visit soon) all of our libraries in an effort to raise the staff’s comfort level with OverDrive. It’s supplemental to the training they provided. I think/hope it has helped the people who have come to the sessions I’ve hosted.
I’ve learned a lot about how this service will work and hopefully will be ready to fulfill part of my new responsibility (support for staff and public for OD). I’m not really looking forward to this new aspect of my job but someone has to do it. I’m not the only person doing the support. We’ve got people at each library who should be able to handle easy questions so hopefully I will only get the tough ones. We will see. Wish us luck.
One thing I like about visiting all of our libraries is seeing everyone. I like just about everyone in my library system so getting out and visiting the branches is always fun. I get to hang out with people I rarely get to see and I enjoy that. I also get mileage reimbursement so that takes the edge off driving all over the county.
Do I have anything for you to read this week? Since I missed last week I should but honestly I’ve been so busy with OverDrive (and other stuff) that I haven’t had much chance to read and process anything. My Google Reader is overflowing and I know there have been lots of really interesting things going on. I just haven’t sat still for the last two weeks and I probably won’t for the next few weeks either. Plus I’m totally hooked on the Song of Ice and Fire books by George R.R. Martin so when I do get a chance to relax I’m reading that. Maybe next week…
Friday Reads – Busy Week Edition
This was quite the busy week. Lots of travel around the county and little time to read. No complaints from me. I like visiting the branches. I went to three branches to talk about our impending Summer Reading Clubs. To make it more palatable I brought cookies/cupcakes and ice cream sandwiches/drumsticks. Yeah. I know how to make people come to a meeting.
My library is about to launch OverDrive and there has been lots of preparation for that. I’ve written a short ‘How to get your computer ready for OverDrive’ sheet for people. I hope it helps. I’ve also been tasked with being the point person for customer/staff education and troubleshooting once the site goes live. I know you’re jealous.
I’ve spent today getting everything ready for another Time Machine program featuring Mr. Chris. This time he’s kidnapping Richard Byrd. It’s for the Moving Henrico Forward: Air, Road, Rail and Water event at the Virginia Aviation Museum this Sunday. The guys did a great job of filming and I’m really looking forward to seeing the reaction from the kids.
On to the posts
Library Renewal is an organization worth watching. The people involved are smart and have a very good understanding of libraries and electronic content. I wish them luck and am willing to help if possible.
I like it when people not directly associated with libraries discuss libraries. I especially like it when technology reporters at great technology sites discuss libraries. This one talks about the Digital Public Library. Watch the video.
The e-G8 was this week and it seems to have been an interesting mix of people. It was held in Paris a few days before the G8. Called by the French President to discuss the internet and how it affects lots of different areas, it got some mixed reviews. I like this write up because the guy from EFF was not the typical attendee.
