MySpace Joins with the Illinois Library Association to Promote Online Safety

"MySpace today announced that it has joined with the Illinois Library Association to distribute free bookmarks containing tips on Internet safety. The bookmarks are printed as a series, each aimed at a specific audience including kids, teens, and parents. By distributing these bookmarks for free, MySpace and the Illinois Library Association hope to help educate youth and parents to make safe and informed decisions online. The bookmarks will be given out at Illinois libraries starting today in celebration of Illinois Library Day. The bookmarks will also be distributed during National Library Legislative Day (May 2) in Washington, D.C. ....

'One of the primary concerns of the Illinois library community is the safety of children. These bookmarks are just one example of how the Illinois library community is partnering with MySpace, parents, and police to help children learn how to use the Internet, and to become savvy users of information,' said Robert P. Doyle, Executive Director of the Illinois Library Association. 'We know there are legitimate concerns about the Internet. We know, however, that the best way to protect children is to teach them to guard their privacy and make wise choices. Education will promote safe use of the Internet, not laws blocking access.'

The Internet Safety bookmarks contain information on the safety topics below, as well links to additional online resources.

• Dealing with Cyberbullies: Tips for Kids


• Safe Blogging: Tips for Teens


• Social Networking: Tips for Parents

The Internet Safety Bookmarks are also available to download (PDF) and print locally at the Illinois Library Association Web site (www.ila.org/netsafe)." [ILA: NetSafe]

'MySpace and the Illinois Library Association provided funding for the printing and distribution of 400 each of the three bookmarks to every public library in Illinois.

In addition, they are available for sale in sets of 100 each of the three Internet Safety Bookmarks for $6 plus shipping and handling.

* Order Bookmarks

You have new Picture Mail!, originally uploaded by The Shifted Librarian.

http://www.techsource.ala.org/ltr/technology-competencies-and-training-for-libraries.html

In her report, Houghton-Jan provides useful technology-training practices, including:

• how to use descriptions of technology competencies so they will enhance your staff members' technology knowledge, improve their self-confidence and individual morale levels, help staff provide better service, and transform your library into an institution that continously promotes lifetime learning for every staff member;
• a look at the purpose and background of describing competencies;
• a review of the process of creating descriptions and a look at various types and structures of lists of competencies as well as sample competencies; and
• the implementation process, including assessment and best practices for technology training.

"This work," summarizes Houghton-Jan, "is an attempt to fill the gap in knowledge about documenting technology competencies with overall guiding principles, examples of successful projects, and project-management guidelines for those embarking upon such a project in their libraries."

1. Competencies: Do We or Don't We?
2. Build a Foundation for the List of Competencies
3. Staff Participation and Buy-In
4. Writing the Competency Descriptions
5. Formatting the Competencies List
6. Implementing the Competencies
7. Assessing Staff on the Competencies
8. Planning for Technology Training
9. Creating Technology Training and Materials
10. Conducting Technology Training
11. Reassessment and Revision
12. General Works Consulted and Cited

Congratulations, Sarah!

Yet another disclaimer: Sarah Houghton-Jan, aka The Librarian in Black, is a friend of mine.

A request from Scott Nicholson, Assistant Professor, School of Information Studies, Syracuse University. Scott will be talking about the data from this survey at the TechSource Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium in July, so please help him assemble a rounded view of what's going on in our profession!

"Our goal is to collect information about every gaming program that went on in libraries in 2006. This will provide us with the valuable evidence useful for all of us in getting funding for gaming in libraries.

If you did run any type of gaming program (board, card, video games) or have people involved with games in your library, please head over to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=222783560244 and fill out the survey.

In addition, please pass the following announcement along to other appropriate lists, blogs, and forums.