John Pecoraro, Coordinator of the Big Country Library System, discusses developing a Continuity Book to ensure essential services will continue when staffing changes occur in small libraries.

Join Dawn Vogler for part two of her talk with Julie Todaro on staff conduct policies.  In part one of this podcast, Julie discussed her famous LAMA article called, "Reasonable Expectation of Adult Behavior," introduced the concept of staff conduct policies and then talked about when a manager might consider a policy like this for their organization.  In this episode, we talk with Julie to find out the specific categories managers might want to address in their staff conduct policies.  They also cover some issues around how employees dress for work at the library and whether or not such a policy can help clarify certain employer expectations.  View Julie's handout on staff conduct policies here.

Carolyn Davidson Brewer explains how to diversify your collection and reach more segments of your community by including non-reviewed materials.  She has some tips on how to identify materials worth purchasing when a review is not easily available.

Two librarians in Northeast Texas describe how a demographic study helps them provide better service to their communities.

Kathleen Baxter, children literature consultant, talks about books that can appeal to boys and to home schooled children.

As technology has advanced, security has become more difficult to control.  Jesse Ephraim, Director of the Roanoke Public Library, discusses things librarians can do to help ensure their patrons' security, anonymity, and privacy.

Join Julie Todaro, a consultant in management and public services issues for all types of libraries, as she discusses implementing a staff conduct policy in your library.  Julie manages an academic library, has worked in public libraries and has her all level school library certification. She has a great deal of management experience and has conducted workshops for many organizations for the past 35 years, including for TSLAC's own Small Library Management Training Program for the past 20 years.  Every cycle, in our basic management workshop, staff conduct policy discussions result in lots of questions from managers.  In part one of this two-part podcast (look for part 2 to appear on this site in November 23rd), Julie discusses her famous LAMA article called, "Reasonable Expectation of Adult Behavior," introduces the concept of staff conduct policies and then talks about when a manager might consider one for their organization.  View Julie's handout on staff conduct policies here.

Librarians at Muenster and Van Alstyne Texas discuss their experiences using Discover Stations to provide public access to the Internet and desktop applications.

Kathryn Sturtz, coordinator of the Alamo Area Library System, discusses search techniques using Advanced Google.

Rachel Fewell, Collection Development Manager from Anythink Libraries in Adams County, Colorado, discusses their library district's breakup with the Dewey Decimal System. They recently underwent a complete brand overhaul to become Anythink Libraries with a new classification system called WordThink.  WordThink is based on the retail model classification system known as BISAC.  Learn more about their transformation away from Dewey towards a more customer- focused collection in this interview.

The Summerglen Branch of the Fort Worth Public Library has strong book clubs for both fiction and nonfiction readers.  L. G. Swift and Laura de la Taz share some of their techniques for keeping their book clubs fresh and active.

Kathryn Sturtz of the Alamo Area Library System discusses the topic of Romance.  Some points outlined is as follows:

1. What is Romance
2. What are some genres of Romance
3. Some examples of Romance authors

There is a special emphasis on seniors and young adult romance within this podcast.

Learn about a fun, piece-of-cake, no cost Recyle-a-Book program which benefits school children and community organizations.

Carolyn Davidson Brewer shares some tips about the TexShare Databases, including the difference between the Internet resources you find with a regular search engine and the peer-reviewed, editorial-controlled material in the databases.  Carolyn gives advice about which databases to start with and how to learn the search interface for each one.

There are things a library can do to become more environmentally responsible, without having to move to a new building.  Carolyn Davidson Brewer, Assistant Director at NTLP shares ideas for libraries seeking green alternatives.  For more information, see www.greenlibraries.org.

Rodney Greensage of the Alamo Area Library System speaks about what is Phishing and covers the following terms on the subject:

1. What is Phishing?
2. Why is it important for library staff to know about this?
3. How you can inform your patrons about its dangers.
4. What to look for/Tips to avoid being a victim.

NTLP board members Barbara Chayer, Pat Jefferson and Ken Haas share ideas about how libraries can interact with today's active senior citizens.

Amy Cline, Assistant Coordinator for the Alamo Area Library System, shares some tips and ideas on how to conduct a successful story time within the library.

Lesley Daly, Director of the Wichita Falls Public Library, describes the library's Book Club To Go collection, which provides materials for a book discussion club packaged as a kit that patrons can check out.  Each canvas bag contains multiple copies of one title, plus other materials for the discussion group.

Yoko Matsumoto is Literacy Coordinator for Arlington Reads,  a literacy program of the Arlington Public Library. In this interview she shares the history of how the program developed and some advice for communities planning to start their own literacy programs.

Rodney Greensage from AALS discusses the possibility of using Edubuntu in your library.  Topics are:

1. What is Edubuntu
2. Why you may want to consider it for your library
3. The Pros and Cons
4. What has changed within Edubuntu
   

Carolyn Davidson Brewer from NTRLS has some helpful suggestions for libraries wanting to update their reference collection and offer the best service to their patrons.

Rodney Greensage, an IT (TANG) Consultant for the Alamo Area Library System discusses Open Source Software for libraries. Topics covered are --What is Open Source Software --What are some pro/cons about Open Source Software --Open Source Software ideas that you may want to consider for your library

Nell Callison from NTLP talks to Richard-Michael Manuel, Assistive Technology Navigator for Easter Seals North Texas to get an introduction to different kinds of assistive technology.  He discusses finding funding assistance to make the technology affordable and the "People First" language that is preferred when working with individuals with special needs.

Rodney Greensage, an IT (TANG) Consultant for the Alamo Area Library System discusses the following about wireless usage policies within your library: 

--Why you should have a wireless usage policy

 --Some topics that might go into the policy

 --Enforcing the policy

The Decatur Public Library has a most successful Teen Advisory Board.  Director Cecilia Hurt Barham, along with two members of the Decatur TAB, talk about how they created it and what it has accomplished.

The Volunteen Program at the William T. Cozby Public Library helps the library with manpower during the Summer Reading Club and provides the student volunteers with service hours for participation.

Patrick Heath talks to Nell Callison from NTRLS about how to help government entities and the public become aware of the value of the library, in ways that go beyond quantitative data.  Patrick Heath, the 2009-2010 President of TLA and Mayor of Boerne 1987 – 2007, will be keynote speaker at the Library Supporters Conference in Fort Worth on January 31, 2009.

Kate Cordts, manager of the San Antonio Inter-Library Loan Center, talks about the upcoming proposed changes for the state wide Inter-Library Loan program.

Learn how the Whitesboro Public Library (service population 6,105) is earning $15,000+ in their first year of offering passports services.  Connie Moss of NETLS interviews Library Director Virginia Garvin for program details and advice.

The public expects to find a pleasant, clean environment in the library.  In this interview Kathleen Metz Edwards, Director of the William T. Cozby Public Library in Coppell  tells NETLS' Connie Moss about her secrets for keeping the library clean.  Included are specific recommendations for helpful cleaning products, tools and equipment.

Kathryn Sturtz, from the Alamo Area Library System, speaks about the topic of Return On Investment.  She utilizes a spreadsheet located at their website, which helps establish a dollar value on library services.  Libraries could use that to calculate and then present that information to their funding authority.

Now that federal and state government agencies have moved many of their services online, people often use public libraries for Internet access in order to get information or fill out forms.  Consequently, libraries need enough public access computers and trained personnel to meet the demand.  Suzanne Sears, head of the Government Documents Department for UNT's Willis Library, discusses the issues public libraries can face when trying to serve this growing need.