Desktop News - Issue 159

NOLA Desktop News
Issue 159	Friday, April 30, 1999	03:47:55 PM
For a bi-monthly wrap up of NOLA news and information, be sure to check out NOLA Notes! To receive The Desktop News in your email, go here. (You must be using Netscape, Internet Explorer or an HTML-based email program to use this service)

Help NOLA Hit a Grand Slam

Fifty staff from NOLA member libraries have registered for the 1999 NOLA Spring Planning Retreat on May 6th (Thursday) at McMenamy's in Niles. We hope that you will join us but you must register by noon on Monday, May 3rd. Click here for more information and to sign up http://www.nolanet.org/lrp99/register.htm

NOLA Board President and Staff Participate in National Library Legislative Day

Donna Wall, NOLA Board President, Melissa Lattanzi, and I will participate in ALA's National Library Legislative Day on May 3-4, 1999 in Washington, DC. On Monday we will attend briefings with librarians from across the country on such topics as: intellectual property, government information, universal service, and education. On Tuesday we have appointments with the following Congressmen: Sherrod Brown (District 13), James Traficant, Jr. (District 17), and Steven LaTourette (District 19) to discuss library-related issues. More information upon our return.

Ellison Dies

NOLA is interested in developing a listing of member libraries that own Ellison Dies (designs which are embodied in steel rule dies) and would be willing to loan them to other members for a very short period of time. These Dyes are very popular and are used by youth services librarians and public relations staff. If enough libraries respond, we will recreate a listing on the NOLA Desktop under the Youth Services area. It will be arranged in alphabetical order by Dye name/subject (e.g. computer, girl #3, pizza slice, rabbit) and list the library that actually owns that particular Dye. If you own Ellison Dyes and would be willing to loan them to other NOLA libraries, please e-mail Millie Fry at [email protected] and only give me your name/library at this time.

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

The good news is that there are more people registered for the Youth Services Symposium than in any of our previous nine years. The bad news is that if you have not registered yet, we are filled to capacity and can take no more. You could add your name to a waiting list, but of course there is no guarantee that anyone will cancel. If you wish to do that or if you are already registered and you find you must cancel, please call Chris Hopkins at MOLO.

BABIES, BRAINS AND LIBRARIES

In the last two years there has been much information released on new brain research that stresses the importance of a baby's first three years. Babies' intelligence is not just genetically determined - the brain is also affected by environment. The kind of nourishment, care, surroundings and stimulation that a baby receives is crucial to his/her brain development.

Connections between neurons (brain cells) which are called synapses are vital for healthy brain development. And the first three years of life are when the vast majority of synapses are produced. Both positive and negative experiences have a decisive impact on how the brain is wired these first three years.

What types of positive stimulation causes synapses to form? Sharing language and music with babies are just two examples - but two very positive experiences. Thus, parents of newborns should be encouraged to share language through nursery rhymes or books and also music with their infant daily.

Libraries can play an important role in modeling to parents the sharing of language and music with babies through lapsits or babytime programs.

We now have sample babytime lapsit programs available for your perusal on the NOLA web page along with a tip sheet on how to conduct such programs in your libraries. I hope you will browse this area and I welcome your comments. Click here - http://www.nolanet.org/workspace/youthser/storytime/home.htm

Victim or Victor?

Victims say "I'm too busy;" victors say "I'll find the time."
Victims look for excuses not to even make an attempt; victors look for ways to get it done.
Victims ask for pity; victors look for challenge.
Victims worry about who is to blame; victors find a way to make a difference.
Victims complain; victors take action.
Victims find comfort in the weakness of others; victors help others to develop their strengths.
Victims agonize over yesterday's losses; victors prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow.
Victims take credit; victors accept responsibility.
Victims search for quick and easy answers to their problems; victors spend the time and effort needed to build the life they desire.

In each day are abundant opportunities for you to be a victim, and just as many ways for you to be a victor. The choice is yours. How do you wish to live today?

- Ralph Marston
Excerpted from "A Daily Motivator"

Survey Results Are In!

Thanks to everyone for responding to our recent Continuing Education Survey on the NOLA website...we have received responses from over 100 people! The results are being tabulated and will be reported to you in next week's Desktop News. If you have not yet responded, please do so by no later than Monday, May 3rd...We want to hear your ideas and opinions!

Tech Connections

The long awaited unveiling of Tech Connections, the joint project of the Regional Libraries, OPLIN, and the State Library is finally here! The promotional brochure for the event is at the printer and will be mailed to every public library in Ohio, along with school and academic libraries, by the 2nd week of May.

Some pertinent information to note:
June 14-15, 1999
Hyatt Regency Columbus (Adjacent to the Columbus Convention Center)
Discounted Hotel Rooms will be available to conference attendees
Online registration will be available at the OVAL website by Wednesday, May 5th
(A link will be provided to you next week for easy registration access)
Fees: $125.00 for 2 day registration $75.00 for one day registration

Twenty four individual breakout sessions have been scheduled, along with a keynote speaker from Microsoft Corporation (No...it's not Bill G., but we are told that Richard Ward, who is an Executive VP is much more dynamic!) Although not confirmed yet, Governor Taft has been asked to be our closing speaker for the session.

If you have any questions regarding Tech Connections, please e-mail Lori Putt at: [email protected]

NOLA Regional Library System 4445 Mahoning Ave Warren, OH 44483	Phone: (330) 847- 7744 Fax: (330) 847- 7704 Email: [email protected]
Copyright � 1999 by NOLA Regional Library System. Send comments to Webmaster. Revised: 04/30/99 03:47:55 PM URL: http://www.nolanet.org/tdn/issue159.htm