Reference Links for Libraries

Accepting Donations through your Web Site

Make it easy for your community to donate to your library! Charity.ca is a national company that will handle all the secure transactions needed to make online giving a reality for your organization. Donations can be made using Visa, MasterCard or American Express and donors receive an official tax receipt for their generosity. Your organization receives the full amount of the donation less a small administration charge - a small price for a practical service.
Charity.ca
See it in action at Calgary Public Library

Canadian Copyright Circulars online

Sometimes we just need an overview, or to refresh our memory, on a copyright issue. Industry Canada provides just the tool in the form of Copyright Circulars that provide a quick guide to the issue and which sections of the Canadian Copyright Act we should refer to if we need complete information. The circulars cover common copyright issues such as personal copying, unprotected items, musical works and exceptions for schools and libraries.
Canadian Copyright Circulars

Cataloguing Internet Resources

Speaking of online books... here's the complete manual from OCLC on how to correctly catalogue all those Internet sites being added to your library collections. Cataloging Internet resources : a manual and practical guide, 2nd edition is online, full text and can be a great source for those now integrating lists of Internet resources into their library catalogue.
http://www.oclc.org/oclc/man/9256cat/toc.htm

DDC Updates and cataloguing tips

OCLC has been a long time provider of services to libraries. Through their web site they continue the tradition with free and fee-based options. One of the freebies are the updates and cataloguing tips for users of the Dewey Decimal Classification system. Designed to help library staff in cataloguing the many new resources pouring into their libraries each month, the DDC updates and tips can sometimes be a time-saver if you catalogue your own resources.
Dewey Decimal Classification Updates

Dublin Core - controlled vocabulary for the Web

The Dublin Core initiative is still moving full steam ahead in an effort to streamline web site Meta Data. If it becomes standard, there will finally be a controlled vocabulary for searching the web and sites can be classified by LC or DDC. As part of their work, a form that allows you to construct Dublin Core Meta Data tags for your web is available online. Although search engines world wide have not standardized on it yet, the first web spider to use the Dublin Core is to be launched this fall. Web Authors, meet Librarianship!

Learn what the Dublin Core is all about http://dublincore.org/
SchoolNet has redone their Learning Resources area with Dublin Core Meta Data search capabilities. http://www.schoolnet.ca/home/e/resources/
Dublin Core Meta Data Template - build your DC Meta tags now! http://www.lub.lu.se/cgi-bin/nmdc.pl

Eric Search Wizard

Let other librarians help do the searching... Prepackaged searches that tap into the Eric database can bring you fine tuned results in a hurry on some of the most frequently requested education information. See whether your question is covered in the search wizard collection, modify it if you need to, and send a pre-tested search into the Eric database.
http://searcheric.org/scripts/ewiz/expert.htm

Finding Out of Print titles

Looking for a title that you just can't seem to locate? Not everyone can afford a copy of the latest edition of Books Out of Print, so perhaps it's time to check the O.P. resources on the Web. If you find it listed, they can usually supply you with a copy, or at least the price for one!
Barnes and Noble (O.P. and used copies for sale)

Forthcoming Books

National Library of Canada provides an online listing of forthcoming books that are making their way through the Cataloguing in Publication (CIP) program. The listing is by subject, then by author or title within the subject category. This is a great way to get a sneak preview of some of the materials being released in the Canadian market and can help with help in selecting, ordering and cataloguing.
NLC: Forthcoming books

Fundraising through your Library Web Site

Libraries can participate many ways in fundraising initiatives. From traditional methods, like giving programs and special events, to new styles of online opportunities, there are a few resources to help get you organized. Whether you are looking for inspiration or looking for a plan, here are some options for assistance.
Library Fundraising on the Web: a practical guide (From Northern Lights Internet Solutions - commercial vendor, not the search engine)
Fundraising on School & Library Web Sites (course from Inet-Toolbox)

Getting Library News

Keep current with library news! The Foothills Library Association maintains a News for Libraries section, as does the Canadian Library Association. Visit their sites and check the news items of importance to libraries.
Foothills Library Association : News for libraries

Libraries, Search Engines & Research Tools

Help with creating Link Libraries

Creating link libraries is quite a task considering how many web sites are out there. Not only that, but since each one should be examined with your collection development policy in mind, the time you need to spend finding, evaluating, and selecting sites to put in your link library can become overwhelming. This installment of Toolbox Tips looks at how you can make the job easier using evaluation tools and services that have already done most of the work for you.

Library Link - an online resource for Information Professionals

A powerhouse of a resource for anyone interested in Librarianship! Library Link provides reviews, advice, discussion forums, trial subscriptions to databases, and loads of information covering every aspect of the library field. A great current awareness resource!

Help with Library Policy Manuals

Every library has a policy manual somewhere that covers everything from how to develop the collection to handling challenges to materials! Occasionally they need to be reviewed and updated, and it sure wouldn't hurt to have a collection of examples to use when the time comes. This site from the James Madison University is just that - a collection of policies that can help with writing or revising library policy manuals.
Policy Manuals for School Libraries

Hytelnet Web Interface

No need to try to find the old Hytelnet directory through your terminal emulation package ("what's that?" some ask!) because it's available through a web interface. You can still connect to hundreds of library catalogues, many of which are not available on the web, but most web browsers will now invoke the telnet connection automatically when the library is selected in the Hytelnet web interface. Visit libraries throughout the world, choosing them geographically or catalogue type. There are also basic help files for each catalogue type, telnet tips, and connections to a number of other resources.
http://www.ucm.es/INET/hytelnet_html/start.html

Innovative Sites from Canadian Libraries

From Industry Canada, this site showcases Canadian examples and "Best Practices" for library web sites. Check out some of the many innovative online methods that libraries are using to serve their patrons and clients. Categories include Partnerships, Local History, Promotions & Fund Raising, Interactivity, Organizing the Internet, Reader's Advisory and Web Accessible Catalogues. It's also nice to note that there are a few Alberta libraries among the highlighted sites!
Innovative Internet Use in Canadian Public Libraries

International Job Exchanges for Library Staff

For many years, LIBEX, the Bureau for International Library Staff Exchange, has been connecting library staff for job exchanges. If you're feeling adventurous and would like to try a job exchange, check out the LIBEX list of postings or have your library post an exchange request.
LIBEX

LC Catalog records on-line

Not everyone has the latest edition of LCSH! Those big red volumes are the mainstay of cataloguers everywhere but not every library can afford them. Fortunately for those smaller budgets, the Library of Congress has their catalogue available on the web.
http://catalog.loc.gov/

Lesson plans for libraries

From the American Library Association comes this set of "Best Practices" for learning through the library. Developed by library staff in the field and selected by ALA as exemplars, these lesson plans provide step-by-step approaches to integrating the library into teaching - they are also great sources of inspiration to help develop your own!
Learning through the Library: Best Practices

Library Media and Public Relations

Very often libraries don't take advantage of marketing opportunities because they feel too commercial, yet without marketing, those in your community will not know the incredible value you offer them! This web site is dedicated to giving libraries the information and resources to help market tastefully and effectively. There are articles, strategies, clip art and links to additional information all designed to help you promote your library and services.
Library Media and Public Relations

LM_NET - for Library Media Specialists

The LM_NET mailing list is chock full of valuable ideas and assistance for those working in school libraries and is known as *the* mailing list for library media staff. Previously hosted by AskERIC, the LM_NET Archives has a search engine that allows you to tunnel into past postings for answers to your questions without subscribing to the list. Subscribe to LM_NET here: http://www.lsoft.com/scripts/wl.exe?SL1=LM_NET&H=LISTSERV.SYR.EDU

My Library - a new wave in Library Web Sites

Many libraries are not only moving beyond a presence, but are moving into personalized, interactive sites for their patrons. By allowing them to create their own personalized library page, they can have quick access to the resources they use, and libraries build a loyal and consistent patron base. Have a look at a couple of samples, and try out the My Library test drive from Virginia Commonwealth University to get a feel for it. If you like the idea, they will even send you the scripting so you can customize and add it for your own site!
North Carolina State University Libraries (use guest access to try it out)
Virginia Commonwealth University (explains the "My Library" project)
My Library (try it yourself)

Online Book Repair Manual

From the members of Preservation Services at Dartmouth College Library, this guide to book repair covers everything from the parts of a book, to repair instructions for hinges, spines and corners. Written in 1996 but kept up to date, this site is an excellent resource for those who need to extend the life of some of their print materials.
A Simple Book Repair Manual

Online Books - full text resources to fill the gaps

Some web sites are dedicated to providing us with full text sources of printed works. This can be a great back-up for the times you wish you had a copy but either haven't gotten one yet, had to get rid of the copy you did have, or just can't lay your hands on it at the moment. Whatever your reason, checking full text online book sites could be just the source you're looking for to fill those gaps in your collection.
Project Gutenberg http://promo.net/pg/index.html
Bibliomania http://www.bibliomania.com/
The Online Books Page http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/

Online Sources for Book Reviews

Gathering current and useful book reviews can sometimes be a chore. Here are a couple of standard resources containing authoritative and current book reviews to add to your collection.
Canadian Review of Materials (CM online)
Booklist online - the online version of ALA's Booklist

Province wide library access - got your card yet?

The Alberta Library Card grants borrowing privileges for numerous libraries across the province and became available in April of this year. It allows you to borrow books from any of the participating libraries and return them to any other participating library in Alberta. Available to anyone who is a member of one of the participating libraries, there is no additional fee to get the Alberta Library Card.
http://www.thealbertalibrary.ab.ca/services/talcard/infoborrowers.cfm

Storytelling in the Classroom

There are many reasons why storytelling is an art that should not be overlooked while educating your students. The Story Arts web site is all about those reasons and provides lesson plans and activities to integrate this unique learning tool into your classroom. Created by author Heather Forest, the Story Arts web site contains a wealth of information for educators and library staff who wish to encourage and support the use of storytelling for students.
http://www.storyarts.org/index.html

Style Guides for citing electronic resources

Citing electronic resources is fraught with difficulties at times but by consulting the authorized style guides you should be able to find the format you need.
Modern Language Association (MLA Style Guide is not available electronically but you can purchase the official print version here)
American Psychological Association (APA Format available online)

Ten Tips for Starting and Running a Successful Book Club

"Ten tips for starting and running a successful book club" from the Reading Groups site gives plenty of advice for those hoping to set up a book discussion group. Once you have a good feel for how to manage a book club/discussion group offline, have a look at the opportunities for online groups! This can be a very nice addition to library web sites.
Ten Tips...
Racheal's Compendium of Online Book Discussions

Understanding Z39.50

From Biblio-Tech Review, this technical briefing is an excellent, "one-stop" information source about the Z39.50 protocol. It discusses features, benefits, implications, products and systems, technical details of implementation and use, and the impact Z39.50 has on library and information systems in our inter-linked world.

Virtual Canadian Union Catalogue (vCuc)

Launched for preview by the National Library of Canada in May 2000, vCuc offers an easy web-based, bilingual, single access point to the holdings of many Canadian libraries. Although still under development, vCuc searches catalogues, archives and databases individually or by groups using a basic or advanced search interface.
The Virtual Canadian Union Catalogue

Updated: January 2004, Additions: January 2004