Publications
Desktop News
NOLA NOTES

Member Resources
Book Discussion
Salary Survey
Vendor Discount
Experts on Call
CE Transcripts
NOLA Documents

Information
NOLA Calendar
Member Directory
Employee Directory
Desktop Search
NOLA Board
Directions to NOLA
NOLA Spotlights

Resource Sharing
AccessOhio
AskUsQuestions
Ellison Dies
RefLinks
More

Ready to Trade Your File System for a Database?

Many computer users are familiar with searching for files on their computers, thinking "I know it's here, somewhere".  The need to search through directory after directory is based on the way that we store files (essentially in large, unrelated lists).  This may be changing sometime in the not too different future.  Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle, would like to see an end to the practice of using directories to hold and organize information on your hard drive, instead Ellison proposes the use of centralized relational database technology to help get and keep files organized.  In Ellison's design you could simply ask your computer to find all items (such as: word processing documents, emails, faxes, and web pages) related to a subject.  This information package is designed to give you exactly what you asked for with a significantly reduced amount of effort.  But there may be a catch......

Want to know more?

Information Architecture : Blueprint For Web Knowledge Systems
(Information contributed by Cristina Pope, Assistant Director - NEOUCOM)

24th Annual Betty Burrows Memorial Seminar
Sponsored by the Cleveland Chapter, Special Libraries Association

Friday, April 16, 1999
8:30am - 4:00pm
Hilton Cleveland South
6200 Quarry Lane, Cleveland, Ohio

Information architecture is a way of structuring electronic information resources so they are usable, accessible and interesting. Good information architecture makes it easy for users to be successful in finding information and accomplishing tasks. From clay-tablet scribes, medieval monks and the folks who organize your daily newspaper, information architects have contributed in subtle but important ways to our world. Join us at the 1999 Betty Burrows Seminar to learn how sound information architecture practices can enhance the value of your organization's information resources.

Want to know more?

Items submitted by:
Brad Stephens - Email
NOLA Regional Library System

Kent State University School of Library and Information Science is in the News

The most recent U. S. News & World Report ranking of schools of library and information science lists Kent State University as one of five schools tied for 20th. All but three of the ranked schools has a doctoral program as well as an ALA-accredited master's program. The rankings can be viewed at http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/beyond/gradrank/gbinfos.htm

As part of the 1996-97 University annual planning process, the SLIS crafted a strategic mission of becoming North America's preeminent professional program in library and information science. It looks like the School is on its way to meeting that goal! Congratulations to Danny Wallace and the faculty.

Dates for Your Calendar

The theme of this year's Stand for Children Day, on June 1st, is "Ready to Learn, Ready to Succeed." Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund, writes, "Kids need health coverage, quality care (that's also affordable), productive after-school activities, schools that challenge them with small classes, skilled teachers, high standards, and involved parents." I would like to add libraries - that purchase a wealth of resources for parents and children and develop excellent programs for families - to Ms. Edelman's list. To learn more about the June 1st event, click on http://www.stand.org.

Nominees Sought for OPLIN Board

The Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) is seeking nominations for its Board of Trustees. The OPLIN Board consists of eleven members appointed by the State Library Board. These members are both library directors and past or present trustees of public libraries. The OPLIN Board anticipates vacancies in June 1999 and is aggressively seeking nominations for this board. Terms will begin as soon as appointed by the State Library Board and will be for either 2 or 3 years. For more information, click here.

State Librarian's Testimony before the Primary & Secondary Education Subcommittee of the House Finance Committee

Michael Lucas testified about the State Library's budget before the Primary & Secondary Education Subcommittee of the House Finance Committee on March 23, 1999. The SLO budget contains funding for the Regional Library Systems. For the full text of his testimony, click here.

Items submitted by:
Millie Fry - Email
NOLA Regional Library System

Coming from a Reflinks site near you. "Honest to Wookies! Who let the tauntaun out without a leash? Anakin, how many times do I have to tell you, I don't want you playing with Jabba or that bad news Boba Fett. Mark my words, those two will come to no good, and so will you if you hang around them." Don't know what I'm talking about? Then grab your light saber and head on over to STAR WARS: the Official Site (Reflinks 791) The latest installment of George Lucas' sci-fi epic is about to hit the big screen and this is the ultimate site for new and old fans alike. Watch the official movie trailer (in several languages), check out the behind the scenes video, interviews with cast & crew, and browse the most comprehensive listing of aliens, weapons, creatures, droids and more! For the collector (or the desperate parent) who needs to find the latest officially licensed merchandise, check out the Mos Espa Marketplace - a veritable galaxy of goodies! Remember - The Force is With You! And so are Reflinks!

Items submitted by:
Reflinks Members [email protected]

Are "Nice" Customers Ruining Your Library?

I'm a nice customer. You all know me. I'm the one who never complains, no matter what kind of service I get. I'll go into a restaurant and sit quietly while the waiters and waitresses gossip and never bother to ask if anyone has taken my order. Sometimes a party that came in after I did gets my order, but I don't complain. I just wait. When I go to a store to buy something, I don't throw my weight around. I try to be thoughtful of the other person. If a snooty salesperson gets upset because I want to look at several things before making up my mind, I'm just as polite as can be. I don't believe rudeness in return is the answer. The other day I stopped at a full service gas station and waited for almost five minutes before the attendant took care of me. And when he did, he spilled gas and wiped the windshield with an oily rag. Did I complain? Of course not. I never nag. I never criticize. I never make a scene. I think that's uncalled for. No, I'm the nice customer. And, I'll tell you who else I am. I'm the customer who never comes back!
Author Unknown (but nice)

We talk a lot about "customer service", but do we practice it on a daily basis? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. For libraries, it's often that "first impression" that counts most to a new patron. If we take the time to show them around, ask of their interests, and learn about them, we will have a "customer for life"...if we don't, chances are, they won't come back!

"Motivate them, train them, care about them and make winners out of them...we know that if we treat our employees correctly, they'll treat the customers right. And if customers are treated right, they'll come back."
J. W. Marriott, Jr.
Chairman and President, Marriott Corporation

To assist you in teaching your employees the fine art of customer service, NOLA is offering a full day workshop, called A Touch of Class (Customers Leaving Appreciated, Satisfied, and Sold) on April 21st and 22nd. Geared specifically towards your support staff, these workshops will explore issues such as:

• How to make a good first impression
• Developing interpersonal relationships
• Communicating with challenging and special needs patrons
• Creating a "customer friendly" atmosphere in your library

A Touch of CLASS will be taught be two support staff, Julie-Anne Fultz and Gerald M. Schwab, from the Columbus Public Library, who have trained throughout the state on this topic. We are offering this special workshop on two separate days, so that you can have your support staff attend on separate days, to ensure coverage in your libraries. We will be holding this workshop at the beautiful Avalon Inn and Resort, to create a very "special" day for your staff.

To register for the Wednesday, April 21st "A Touch of Class"

To register for the Thursday, April 22nd "A Touch of Class"

Items submitted by:
Lori Putt - Email
NOLA Regional Library System

• The May 12, 1999 Word for Directors has been changed to a Word Basic class due to popular demand.  Sign up today
• Don't forget the workshops that are planned for April and May. Starting with CLASS-Customers Leaving Satisfied and Sold on either April 21 or 22, 1999.
• If you have taken the Web development class, you may want to sign up for the Advanced Web Development class on Tuesday, April 27, 1999.
• There is limited room available for Designing Flyers with Microsoft Word. Sign up today.
• For all you techies that want to Take Your Website to the Next Level don't miss the opportunity starting on May 3, 1999.   This is a four day class that will go through the end of May.
• Learn how to dazzle your patrons with the knowledge of search engines.  Attend the Advanced Search workshop on Thursday, May 20, 1999.
• Kathy Sauline will give you insight on Integrated Reference Resources, Thursday, May 25, 1999.  Know when to use the correct mediums.

Items submitted by:
Melissa Lattanzi - Email
NOLA Regional Library System

NOLA Regional Library System
4445 Mahoning Ave
Warren, OH 44483

Copyright � 1999 by NOLA Regional Library System.
Send comments to Webmaster.
Revised: 03/26/99 01:46:32 PM
URL: http://www.nolanet.org/tdn/issue155.htm