ReferenceUSA Training Classes

ReferenceUSA is hosting a series of three online training classes on how to use the database for job hunting and starting or growing a business. The information for the sessions will be posted on the Librarian’s Brain blog this week starting later today through Friday. (see Facebook/lvccldlibrary for the first posting). Classes will be repeated [...]

eBooks on Kindle eReaders and Other Devices

Staff members need to keepup-to-date about what is happening with eBooks and eReaders.  How it all works with library eBooks and eReaders is a moving target that the Virtual Library works hard to keep up with. We maintain a blog called eRead Me Vegas  and the FAQs, Tips & Tricks blog linked off it.  The [...]

Fayetteville Public Library Hosts Open House to Showcase Various E-Resources

Marketing for Libraries Transitioning from tried and tested print subscriptions to online resources can be difficult for some library patrons. Staff members at the Fayetteville Public Library in Arkansas assessed their marketing strategies and tactics in order get their users accustomed to the number of research databases available without a trip to the library under [...]

Hamilton East Public Library Helps Those Still Struggling With Their Employment Search

Marketing for Libraries The United States has seen an uplift in unemployment news in recent months. With the national unemployment rate falling under 9% for the first time in nearly two years and the number of those filing for unemployment benefits continuing a slow downward trend, many Americans are finally returning to work. However, the [...]

May: Healthy Vision Month

From The Pulse – Health and Wellness Resource Center: Here is another idea for incorporating health programming into your overall library programming strategy. Keep looking  for us on the first of each month to find programming ideas for three months out. (Still working on March or April programming? See March Nutrtion and St. Patrick’s Day and April Autism [...]

Library Programming: ‘Muffins and the Market’

Marketing for Libraries Patrons of Portage District Library Use ‘Muffins and the Market’ Investment Group Staff members at the Portage District Library in Michigan go above and beyond for their patrons. One of their most successful programs is an investment and discussion group, Muffins and the Market. Business and reference librarian Nicolette Sosulski explains how [...]

Money Smart Week

The American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago are recognizing April 2-9 as Money Smart Week at your library. This is a week for libraries to help promote financial literacy and hold programs designed to help consumers manage their personal finances. Morningstar Library Services will be participating in Money Smart Week with [...]

March: National Nutrition Month® and St. Patrick’s Day

Here are ideas from The Pulse – Health and Wellness Resource Center by Julie Evanchek  for incorporating health programming into your overall library programming strategy. March is National Nutrition Month®, and the American Dietetic Association’s 2011 theme is “Eat Right with Color.” Adding color – especially green – to your library will be easy with these [...]

Saving Libraries

There’s an article in the Wilmington (NC) Star News titled “A kids’ performer turned Internet hip-hop star just might save libraries.” An excerpt: “Scott Hayes, aka Scooter Hayes, aka Melville Dewey, is without a doubt the greatest library rapper of all time. In fact, he’s the only library rapper of all time, as far as [...]

New Videos

On The Librarian’s Brain – How-to-Videos page I have added additional videos on how to use Gale databases for U.S. History in Context and World History in Context. There are three videos for each database and all of them are very short – less than 3 minutes each.  These videos are great for Library Staff [...]

Video How-To for eBooks & eAudio Books

On the FAQs, Tips & Tricks page of eRead Me Vegas we now have a Video How-To tab which contains a collection of videos which show patrons how to install software and download eMedia titles to their devices.  There is also a Nook troubleshooting video. If you patrons asking questions, please refer them to eRead [...]

eBooks Readers Popping Up Everywhere

Yesterday, Barnes & Nobles introduced NookColor with eBooks and magazines in full color.  They also have a new site called NookKid with 12,000 books for kids and a growing number of these books are interactive. I will be covering this new addition to the ebook reader lineup as well as the new Kobo and Pandigital [...]

How to Buy an eBook Reader

Looking to buy an eBook Reader and don’t know which one to choose? I can help! Attend one of three eBook Reader Workshops offered in November and December and learn which eBook Reader meets your needs. You will also learn how to download eBooks from the Library’s eMedia Catalog for free! Join us for an [...]

Silver Surfers in Cyberspace

    Technology Training for Seniors Workshop Name: Silver Surfers in Cyberspace: Technology Training for Seniors Workshop Date: 10/12/10 Presenter: RoseAleta Laurell You can view the Power Point slides and Resource list on the webinars page or  view the recorded Webinar at any time. You will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to view [...]

Morningstar Can Help You with Investment Program

The Training Corner | by Lars Wasvick, Associate Product Manager Using Scenarios At Morningstar we want to provide you with the training resources you need so you can educate your colleagues and patrons on how to use our database. We are happy to work with you in creating training materials, as many clients have done [...]

Social Lives and Information Literacy

Today’s learners have new tools, they are not new kids. The reason for  the kids today not using the Internet can be two fold: it is the digital divide access vs participation .  And then  some kids just don’t use the tools for an unknown reason. These learners are: in a mini generation gap they [...]

Cheat Sheet on How to use Twitter

Aliza Sherman writes: “I put together this ‘Twitter Cheat Sheet’ for a client, and thought it might be also helpful for others who are still struggling with how to get started with Twitter. It provides some gentle guidelines that should help to keep emerging best practices in mind.” Meredith Farkas writes about coming to terms [...]

How Safe are Your Passwords?

Tips from Lifehacker on improving the security and strength of your passwords. This article is especially good for staff who teach computer classes to patrons.  Good tips here to give to your patrons.

Morningstar Online Presentation

The presentation, “How to Rebalance Your Portfolio,” was a very informative session and is perfect for anyone making investment decisions in 2010. Morningstar is making the presentation available to everyone who could not attend or who would like to review it again. You’ll find the presentation on Morningstar under  the Help & Education page. The [...]

Money Smart U

Fond du Lac Public Library Presents Morningstar Investment Research Center for “Money Smart U” Program Thanks to a grant provided by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and American Library Association (ALA), the Fond du Lac Library has been able to launch a variety of investment-related programs and maintain a website, “Money Smart Neighborhood,” completely [...]