Lori Bell writes “You are cordially invited to attend an online meeting on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 beginning at 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to discuss OPAL, a new collaborative library effort that delivers a rich set of online programs and events to library users.
What is OPAL? OPAL stands for Online Programming for All Libraries. It is a collaborative effort involving a wide variety of libraries to offer a full schedule of public online programming, such as:
·Book discussions
· Interviews and discussions
· Special events
· Training and orientation sessions
· Writing workshops
· Special programs for children, young adults, seniors, etc
Lori Bell writes “You are cordially invited to attend an online meeting on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 beginning at 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to discuss OPAL, a new collaborative library effort that delivers a rich set of online programs and events to library users.
What is OPAL? OPAL stands for Online Programming for All Libraries. It is a collaborative effort involving a wide variety of libraries to offer a full schedule of public online programming, such as:
·Book discussions
· Interviews and discussions
· Special events
· Training and orientation sessions
· Writing workshops
· Special programs for children, young adults, seniors, etc.
OPAL uses the iVocalize online meeting software from Talking Communities to provide an online environment where program presenters and participants can:
· Communicate using either Voice-over-IP or text chat
· Engage in synchronized browsing on the Web
· View and discuss PowerPoint presentations as a group
· Record the audio, visual, and textual aspects of online events for later playback.
What is the URL for OPAL? http://www.opal-online.org/
When and where will the online meeting be held? This informational online meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time in the OPAL Auditorium. The URL that provides a direct link to the entrance screen into the Auditorium is http://www.tcconference.com/lib/?auditorium&nopas
What do I need to do to participate in this meeting? All you need to do is attend! There is no need to register.
How Does OPAL Work as a Collaborative Effort? When a library elects to participate in the OPAL collaborative, the library will receive:
· A small online meeting room at a discounted rate to be used by the member library in whatever way they choose. The room is available 24/7 and can be scheduled and managed by the participating library. The room can be used for online meetings, private events, or events that are advertised only to local library patrons.
· Access to the communal OPAL rooms, such as the large Auditorium, that are used for public OPAL programs that are open to all.
· Training and orientation sessions on how to use OPAL and the supporting software in an efficient, effective manner.
· A centralized effort to schedule OPAL public events and to announce and promote these events broadly.
· In addition to modest annual dues, each library is asked to develop and deliver an average of one online program or event each month that is open to everyone.
Who Should I Contact If I Have Additional Questions? Please contact Tom Peters, the OPAL Manager, at [email protected] or 816.228.6406.”
Duplicative effort?
In this age of Internet resources being available and radio/television programs including ads bombarding you with pitches to purchase ever faster Internet connections, are we perhaps getting a little duplicative with this? Hosting content is not a bad thing. Libraries host content in printed book forms today and have done so for many years. Online content, though, is something where we enter a competitive marketplace.
Is this necessarily a cost-effective matter for libraries to undertake? Should this be left to the private sector? Can we compete with private sector offerings?
The idea does intrigue me. I think I might have to register for the conference. Certainly it would help me with church work too.