Discovery Tool Implementation and Selection

May 15-16, 2012

Please join us for an e-forum discussion. It’s free and open to everyone! Registration information is at the end of the message.

Each day, sessions begin and end at: 10am – 6pm EST

The discovery interface market is exploding, with current products including EBSCO Discovery Service, Serials Solutions Summon, Ex Libris Primo Central, OCLC WorldCat Local, Blacklight, VuFind, Aquabrowser, and more. These tools (both vendor-supplied and open-source) promise faceted browsing as well as ability to integrate multiple content silos; some come with vendor-provided cloud indexes to articles, e-books, and other electronic content. The newest development is a cloud-based back end designed to replace the ILS, including OCLC’s WorldShare, Serials Solutions Intota, and Ex Libris Alma. In today’s world, tools differ not just in the quality of features provided, but in overarching functionality provided and in scope of coverage. The e-forum will address factors to consider when selecting a tool, strategies for evaluating tools, and keys to successful implementation.

*What is an e-forum?*
An ALCTS e-forum provides an opportunity for librarians to discuss matters of interest, led by a moderator, through the e-forum discussion list. The e-forum discussion list works like an email listserv: register your email address with the list, and then you will receive messages and communicate with other participants through an email discussion. Most e-forums last two to three days. Registration is necessary to participate, but it's free. See a list of upcoming e-forums at: http://bit.ly/upcomingeforum.

*To register:* http://www.ala.org/alcts/confevents/upcoming/e-forum/051612

Engaging Communities through Controversy

Join a conversation on “Engaging Communities through Controversy” at a free webinar from 2pm - 3 pm EDT on Thursday, May 10, 2012, part of ALA President Molly Raphael’s Empowering Voices, Transforming Communities initiative. 

Diane McNutt and Jane Light, Silicon Valley Reads, will describe this library’s "one book-one community" program in Santa Clara (Calif.) County. Its 2012 program, "Muslim and American -Two Perspectives," featured two books written by American Muslims, ("The Muslim Next Door" by Sumbul Ali-Karamali and "The Butterfly Mosque" by G. Willow Wilson). More than 100 programs were presented, including author readings, panel discussions, films, an open house evening at a local mosque and an art exhibit. Presented by the San Jose Public Library Foundation, the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the Santa Clara County Library, the goal is to stimulate learning and discussion throughout the community on a topic or theme of importance to the Silicon Valley. 

June Pinnell-Stephens, retired collection services manager, Fairbanks (Alaska) North Star Borough Public Library, will share success stories on how to get your community to “stop shouting and start talking” about intellectual freedom issues. Jos N. Holman, member of the ALA President Molly Raphael’s Empowering Voices, Transforming Communities committee and county librarian, Tippecanoe County Public Library, will lead the webinar. 

This webinar is part of a series of Empowering Voices, Transforming Communities webinars that showcase how libraries around the country are engaging communities. It is cosponsored by the ALA Committee Library Advocacy and the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. More information is available at www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/empoweringvoices. 

For registration Visit https://ala.ilinc.com/register/yzrjzpw to sign up today.