LISNews: Librarian News

If you're on facebook and haven't yet joined, please sign up for our group to try to get Oprah to devote a show (or two) to the needs of public and school libraries in this time of economic crisis. In less than a month, the group has grown to 1400 members.

The group began as a dream that author Marilyn ("This Book is Overdue") Johnson had, in which she asked Oprah to help libraries, and Oprah, being the savvy and book-loving woman that she is, said that she would. Now we have to make the dream become a reality.

If you can tell a personal story about how your library has served your community or a special individual, please post it on the group's wall. Nothing like a testimonial to inspire the group's members and hopefully...Oprah.

In a few weeks we're planning an active campaign to get Oprah onboard, and YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED to add to the voices of everyone who needs libraries (yeah, and who doesn't?); librarians, patrons, authors, teachers, kids, teens, parents, scholars, young and old professionals, seniors, and the occasional cat & or groundhog.

Join us!! Spread the news on that old reliable librarian grapevine!! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=132862353428325&ref=ts ...and invite your friends and patrons! http://is.gd/fuL2q Please (I'm begging you!!).

CHATHAM, NJ — There is a group of hardworking individuals behind the scenes at the Chatham library – and they aren’t bookworms. The Friends of the Library raise money for books and programs which the library could not provide with the money received from Chatham Borough and Township.

“The Library of the Chathams would not be the same place without the Friends of the Library. I sincerely believe we have the best Friends group in the entire state of New Jersey,” said Diane O’Brien, Director of the Library.

As state aid for libraries continues to shrink supplementary funds generated through groups such as Friends has become ever more critical. The Friends recently allocated funds for a cybercafé to be placed in the basement of the library. According to Friends Chairwoman Candice Booker, there is an increasing demand to meet the needs of those patrons looking for a job.

Get your friends *ON THE JOB*. At a time like this, friends of the library can be a tremendous help. For more info on Friends and how your library could start a friends group contact ALTAFF.

OK, New Jersey-ites, who wants to challenge the Chathams friends in a competition for 'best friends group in NJ'?

Aaron Schmidt: Here’s what Dropbox sends when someone who signed up for the service hasn’t recently used it. These go out only occasionally (from what I understand, I don’t think I’ve ever not used it since signing up!) so it isn’t overbearing or terribly spammy. Plus? It is short, easy to read and rather engaging.
Are any libraries sending out email prompts like this when someone hasn’t used their library card?

Dave Farrow, who overcame dyslexia and ADHD to become a world-famous speed reader and Guinness World Record holder, is living and reading in a front window display at the Sony Centre in Toronto. For every book he reads, Sony will donate 2 Reader™ digital books to public libraries across Canada. Watch live on Facebook.

Beginning this past Tuesday, consumers were and are invited to view Farrow's progress and additional world record attempts online (also via Facebook). If you're in the Toronto area, you can also visit the newly renovated Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in person at One Front Street East in Toronto at the south-east corner of Yonge and Front Streets, where Farrow will be reading and living from September 7 through 24th. Consumers who visit the Sony Centre can receive an in-person demonstration of the new Reader Pocket and Touch Editions, "relief-read" for Dave Farrow, enter to win great prizes, and enjoy free frozen yogurt bars from 10:30-1pm daily.

Read more: SONY BRINGS DIGITAL READING EXPERIENCE TO LIFE WITH THE GLOBAL LAUNCH OF ITS STYLISH NEW LINE OF READERS - FierceMobileContent http://www.fiercemobilecontent.com/press-releases/sony-brings-digital-reading-experience-lif...