Wikimania

After visiting the three Wiki sites, I would most likely use the Wikipedia site. This is a site I have used in the past and found the information to be accurate. That is due to the fact that the information is cited. Information is unique whereby allowing open editing. The searching possibilities are endless and wonderful and many times historical - making it so very interesting. WikiHow is very good as well since it is a how-to manual. Wikipaint is nice for those with the creative touch. I look forward to creating a Wiki on the library site and write about the AV department. It is quite interesting to be notified immediately when corrections are made to my STDL Wiki text.

These are my comments under The History of STDL - STDL's Wiki page:

n 1972, the Central library created an Audiovisual Department which was housed in a very small area near the Reference Department in our former building on Library Lane. The department owned a small collection of records, cassettes and sheet music. By the early 1980's, the Audiovisual Department moved to the lower level in an area that was once used by the Technical Services Department. Then in 1987, an addition to the Central Library was completed and a new department was created for audiovisual items. AV experienced quite a growth spurt and in that 11-year period added eight new formats. They included videos, music CD's, laser discs, software and CD-ROM products, audiobooks on cassette and compact discs. In 1995, a referendum was approved for the construction of the new Central Library. Groundbreaking for the new library took place in April 1997 and after 17 months of construction, the new Schaumburg Township District Central Library was opened. Audiovisual moved into an 11,000 square foot area. When we opened the doors of the Central Library September 13, 1998, we introduced 100 titles of our newest format, the Digital Versatile Disk (DVD). As of this writing, AV now has 23 different material types.

The Library has significantly invested in the decor of the AV Department. The walls are decorated with large murals by Skyline Design which depict five classic movies. We worked very closely with Paul Hickman, Skyline's project manager for the Library. Twenty-four pictures of recording stars grace the walls. Allen Vuchetich of Chicago, Illinois made these pictures available to us. Many years ago, Mr. Vuchetich started collecting 35mm film from old studios that had either thrown them out or sold them in huge lots at auction when they began to liquidate. Some of these transparencies have never been published and images like the Streisand, Hitchcock and Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra just stand on their own as stunning images of an era long gone. Completing the decor are ten instruments supplied by Jim Walsh from Karnes Music of Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The library's Audiovisual Department has a lot to offer both for leisure and education. We like to capitalize on our collection by highlighting our display areas. This practice contributes and accounts for about 48% of the total library circulation.

Podcasting Fun

There is so much to learn in so little time. Podcasting has opened up a whole new world of fun and excitement for me. I already feel like a sponge and now this just blows my mind. Never realizing all of this information is available, how does one find the time to absorb all of this during the day. It is already creeping into my sleep time!

Here are three podcasts that I found rather interesting:

1) Kankakee Public Library: A podcast interview with former governor George Ryan and his wife Lura Lynn Ryan. It took 20 minutes to hear how Mrs. Ryan raised funding to restore the Illinois Governors Mansion in Springfield. Mrs. Ryan authored the book "At Home with Illinois Governors: A Social History of the Illinois Executive Mansion." They discussed what it was like to live in the historic Springfield mansion and what went into creating this commemorative book. Cost of the book is $50 and is available to schools, libraries, etc.
2) National Library of Medicine: This podcast discussed various health issues - one of interest was about skin cancer and what to do to protect the skin at all times.
3) Smithsonian Folkways Recordings: This podcast series of 24 one-hour programs explores the remarkable collection of music, spoken word, and sound recordings that make up Folkways Records - now at the Smithsonian as Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. The music of modern day giants like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Ani Difranco are interwoven with original Folkways recordings to demonstrate the lasting legacy that Folkways Records has had on popular music. It continues on to look at how Folkways artists have used music as an instrument for social activism, focuses on musicians whose songs inspired those struggling for improved working conditions, wages, the civil rights struggle, especially through the ten year period between 1955 and 1965, the struggle for equality by American women, and music of World War II, etc. Wonderful series!

My InnerTube YouTube

This was most enjoyable. There was so much to look at and to hear educationally. The three winners and the most enjoyable in the order mentioned are:

1) Czech National Library
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVY29aZuTbQ
This was absolutely amazing and interesting. The Czech National Library started scanning 13 century treasures. Eighteen national libraries including France, England, Spain and new member states are cooperating to create a European digital library. The average book takes one week to complete. They are hoping to scan 6 million books by 2010. Problems are apparent due to financing, copyright and different legislation in various European states. Europeans do not care to accept private contributions as we have become accustomed to here in the United States. Only 1% of old manuscripts have been scanned European wide so far. Very educational and worth a watch.

2) The Harold Washington Library Center
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZBHTLvLp5w
Recognized as the largest public library on our planet, Chicago's Harold Washington Public Library is located south of the Chicago loop on Congress and State Street. It is 10 stories high with 3/4 million square feet under roof. Just one floor alone is devoted to the children's collection which includes restrooms and their own circulation department. The Harold Washington Public Library has 80 branches scattered throughout the Chicago land area.

3) Google Doodles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCaJ0wYMBMw
This one is fun and from the Google Doodles library. This site shows some of the Google Doodles we have become so familiar with. The artwork is brilliant and to think that one man gets paid for doing such fun work.

I enjoyed viewing the many library videos that appeared on YouTube. STDL would benefit by creating a video tour of our lovely state-of-the-art library. Many behind the scene areas could be considered to make the video as interesting as possible. Staff with strong language skills and pleasant voices should be considered to conduct the tour. With so many staff members, we would hope there are those talented in theatrics, photography, the arts, etc. to get the best results possible.

STDL Audiovisual Department

This is the STDL Audiovisual Department photographed showing the south wall of the department. When walking into this area, most patrons feel like they are in a large Blockbuster. It is a very popular department with much activity planned throughout the year. Come visit us soon for a thrill of a lifetime.

STDL Audiovisual Department

The Audiovisual Department of the Schaumburg Township District Library ranks 2nd in size as the largest AV department in the State of Illinois. It holds over 100,000 items in its massive collection which includes approximately 22 different itemtypes. It is absolutely beautiful with its original photos, artwork and musical instruments displayed on its walls. The collection accounts for 48% of the circulating items available to library patrons. A "must see experience!"

STDL Town Square Big Band Concert Series

The most amazing thing happens every summer in Schaumburg's Town Square Park. An internationally well known big band appears every Monday evening to perform before hundreds of area residents. This is quite a popular venue. Schaumburg Township District Library is one of the very few libraries in the Chicago area who arranges these outdoor events. The folks love to hear these free concerts and many times receive free CDs from the entertainers along with gifts from the library. Come join in the fun starting next June, 2008 and continuing on through August, 2008. Bring your chairs and prepare yourselves for a relaxing 1 1/2 hours of pure pleasure. Performing in this picture is the Dick Gulbrandsen Limited Edition Big Band.

Library flowers

Publishing pictures using Flickr was one of the most enjoyable steps in our 9 week course to 12 weeks to 2.0 so far. This would be an excellent way to circulate family pictures, etc through our personal e-mail. Descriptions are so very useful along with dating pictures. Digital picture taking is one technology that is so practical and enjoyable. Good fun for all ages!

RSS Feed

This has been quite the experience so far. Mo and I have had one great time laughing while helping each other. Karen looked at us with this strange expression on her face thinking that we had both gone into the deep end never to come back to the reality of the Audiovisual department. She looked like she would have to replace two additional employees after committing us to the nut house. It has widened our knowledge and shown how effective this blogging can be; however, I would find it a total waste of my time. If I were retired, I would not even attempt to take part in this daily ritual. Thanks again for bringing this to the STDL staff.