Shared posts

27 Dec 03:39

Capitol Reads

by noreply@blogger.com (Megan)
October's Capitol Read is The Ballad of Tom Dooley by Sharyn McCrumb.

The Ballad of Tom Dooley is a literary triumph—what began as a fictional re-telling of the historical account of one of the most famous mountain ballads of all time became an astonishing revelation of the real culprit responsible for the murder of Laura Foster

Hang down your head, Tom Dooley…The folk song, made famous by the Kingston Trio, recounts a tragedy in the North Carolina mountains after the Civil War. Laura Foster, a simple country girl, was murdered and her lover Tom Dula was hanged for the crime. The sensational elements in the case attracted national attention: a man and his beautiful, married lover accused of murdering the other-woman; the former governor of North Carolina spearheading the defense; and a noble gesture from the prisoner on the eve of his execution, saving the woman he really loved. 

With the help of historians, lawyers, and researchers, Sharyn McCrumb visited the actual sites, studied the legal evidence, and uncovered a missing piece of the story that will shock those who think they already know what happened—and may also bring belated justice to an innocent man. What seemed at first to be a sordid tale of adultery and betrayal was transformed by the new discoveries into an Appalachian Wuthering Heights. Tom Dula and Ann Melton had a profound romance spoiled by the machinations of their servant, Pauline Foster.

Bringing to life the star-crossed lovers of this mountain tragedy, Sharyn McCrumb gifts understanding and compassion to her compelling tales of Appalachia, and solidifies her status as one of today's great Southern writers.

More information about Capitol Reads selections can be found on the WVLC website
27 Dec 03:33

bizologie Favorite Apps: SmileDrive

by Laura

This app brings up any number of questions regarding privacy, safety, TMI, etc. But we thought it was intriguing nevertheless. Check out SmileDrive from Volkswagen:

15 Nov 14:59

Super Typhoon Haiyan…11.12.13

by lonewolflibrarian

1


15 Nov 14:57

Rural Broadband

Shirley Bloomfield is the Chief Executive Officer of NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association. She discusses the nation's transition from outdated 20th century copper-based technology to fiber and all IP technology.
14 Nov 16:32

Derailed by Dave and Neta Jackson

by Bonnie S. Calhoun
Dan Nieman

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This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingDerailedWorthy Publishing (October 8, 2013) byDave and Neta Jackson

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

As a husband/wife writing team, we are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together we are the authors or coauthors of over 120 books. (You can see our Publication Record by clicking HERE.) In addition to writing several books about Christian community, we have been privileged to coauthor numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

But over the years the we have especially enjoyed writing for children and young people! This includes our award-winning TRAILBLAZER series, historical fiction about great Christian heroes and heroines for young people ages 8-12, and the four-volume HERO TALES: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Great Christians, and the companion book, Heroes in Black History.

Somewhere along the way, our own children grew up! Son Julian is Director of Experience Design for the Alder Planetarium in Chicago where he “provides the experience of exploring space” for visitors. He has two sons, Liam Isaac and Elijah David. Daughter Rachel graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and after working in the field of rape-crisis prevention went on to earn a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. She is now a counselor at “Uni High School” in Champaign, Illinois. She is the loving mother of Havah Noelle (our first grandchild!) and Noah Zion, our youngest grandchild. The Jackson family also includes a Cambodian foster daughter, Samen Sang, who has four children.

We live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years we were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. We are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Forced to give up his hard-earned retirement, Harry Bentley goes back to work as a detective. Receiving a bizarre undercover assignment that sends him across the country by train. Things suddenly go awry when it appears one of his new neighbors may be part of a smuggling ring and suspicion rises about his own son’s involvement in a major drug cartel. The second in the Windy City Neighbors series, Derailed is a contemporary, and often humorous, tale in an urban setting, featuring ordinary people wrestling with the spiritual and practical issues of real life. Intersecting with Grounded (book one), the Jacksons employ their innovative storytelling technique of “parallel novels.” Though each book follows its own drama and story arc, the characters’ lives become intertwined and affect one another. Derailed transports you to Beecham Street—a typical, isolated American neighborhood . . . until hope moves in.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Derailed, go HERE.

Cut Here****************************************Posting Information

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1617950017

Authors' picture is:


The book cover photo is:


The code for this post is:
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingDerailedWorthy Publishing (October 8, 2013) byDave and Neta Jackson

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

As a husband/wife writing team, we are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together we are the authors or coauthors of over 120 books. (You can see our Publication Record by clicking HERE.) In addition to writing several books about Christian community, we have been privileged to coauthor numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.

But over the years the we have especially enjoyed writing for children and young people! This includes our award-winning TRAILBLAZER series, historical fiction about great Christian heroes and heroines for young people ages 8-12, and the four-volume HERO TALES: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Great Christians, and the companion book, Heroes in Black History.

Somewhere along the way, our own children grew up! Son Julian is Director of Experience Design for the Alder Planetarium in Chicago where he “provides the experience of exploring space” for visitors. He has two sons, Liam Isaac and Elijah David. Daughter Rachel graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and after working in the field of rape-crisis prevention went on to earn a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. She is now a counselor at “Uni High School” in Champaign, Illinois. She is the loving mother of Havah Noelle (our first grandchild!) and Noah Zion, our youngest grandchild. The Jackson family also includes a Cambodian foster daughter, Samen Sang, who has four children.

We live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years we were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. We are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Forced to give up his hard-earned retirement, Harry Bentley goes back to work as a detective. Receiving a bizarre undercover assignment that sends him across the country by train. Things suddenly go awry when it appears one of his new neighbors may be part of a smuggling ring and suspicion rises about his own son’s involvement in a major drug cartel. The second in the Windy City Neighbors series, Derailed is a contemporary, and often humorous, tale in an urban setting, featuring ordinary people wrestling with the spiritual and practical issues of real life. Intersecting with Grounded (book one), the Jacksons employ their innovative storytelling technique of “parallel novels.” Though each book follows its own drama and story arc, the characters’ lives become intertwined and affect one another. Derailed transports you to Beecham Street—a typical, isolated American neighborhood . . . until hope moves in.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Derailed, go HERE.



Dave and Neta can be reached through the Contact link on their Website

Note: Check the comments for reviewers, influencers, and people who just plain love to post for tours!
14 Nov 16:29

Librarians in the Digital Age: Infographic

by Stephen Abram
Dan Nieman

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Librarians in the Digital Age: Infographic

http://visual.ly/librarians-digital-age

 

Librarians in the Digital Age
Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.

 

Stephen

 

14 Nov 16:28

Infographic: 25 Awesome Social Media Tools

by Stephen Abram
Dan Nieman

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Despite all appearances (!), I am not a proponent of jumping on every social media bandwagon. That said, I think that libraries need to be selective and jump on a few – those that align with their audiences / user base / market – whatever you want to call the important people you engage with, serve and make a difference for.

Infographic: 25 Awesome Social Media Tools

http://www.marketingtechblog.com/awesome-social-media-tools/

25 Awesome Social Media Tools

 

So there’s some tools that allow you to track and measure how you’re doing when you use Facebook to engage your communities, LinkedIn to engage media and employers, Tumblr for teens, or Pinterest for women, or whatever works for your folks.  Of course, there are shifting sands and you need to change the mix occasionally.

 

Stephen

14 Nov 16:23

Cyberbullying

by Stephen Abram
Dan Nieman

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Cyberbullying

http://www.besteducationdegrees.com/cyberbullying/
Cyberbullying
Source: Best Education Degrees

Inside Cyber Bullying

Cyberbullying is defined as the “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell
phones, and other electronic devices.” With 80% of teens on cell phones and the same on social media sites,
it’s time to understand that technology is connecting teens in ways they can’t escape.

Cyberbullying rates

1 in 6 (16.2%) of teens are cyber bullied [22.1% girls / 10.8% boys]
18.6% of white [25.9% girls / 11.8% boys]
8.9% of blacks [11% girls / 6.9% boys]
13.6% of hispanics [18% girls / 9.5% boys]
15.5 of 9th graders [22.6% girls / 8.9% boys]
18.1 of 10th graders [24.2% girls / 12.6% boys]
16 of 11th graders [19.8% girls / 12.4% boys]
15 of 12th graders [21.5% girls / 8.8% boys]

Off-line bullying rates

1 in 5 are bullied offline [22% girls / 18% boys]

Cyberbullying rates by state

Alabama [12.3%], Alaska [15.3%], Arkansas [16.7%], Colorado [14.4%], Connecticut [16.3%], Florida [12.4%],
Georgia [13.6%], Hawaii [14.9%], Idaho [17%], Illinois [16%], Indiana [18.7%], Iowa [16.8%], Kansas [15.5%],
Kentucky [17.4%], Louisiana [18%], Maine [19.7%], Maryland [14.2%], Michigan [18%], Mississippi [12.5%],
Montana [19.2%], Nebraska [15.8%], New Hampshire [21.6%], New Jersey [15.6%], New Mexico [13.2%], New
York [16.2%], North Carolina [15.7%], North Dakota [17.4%], Ohio [14.7%], Oklahoma [15.6%], Rhode Island
[15.3%], South Carolina [15.6%], South Dakota [19.6%], Tennessee [13.9%], Texas [13%], Utah [16.6%], Ver-mont [15.2%], Virginia [14.8%], West Virginia [15.5%], Wisconsin [16.6%], Wyoming [18.7%]

But cyber bullying is punishable by the law. [4]

49/50 states have bullying laws (Montana is the one state that doesn’t)
47/50 include “electronic harassment.
44/50 include school sanctions.
18/50 specifically include “cyberbullying”
and 12/50 include criminal sanctions.
With Federal cyberbullying laws pending.

What it causes

Teenagers who are cyberbullied are 3 times more likely to commit suicide.
Teenagers who are traditionally bullied are 2 times more likely to commit suicide.

Suicide attempts that require treatment:
1.5% for youths not bullied
2.3% for youths physically bullied
5.4% for youths cyberbullied
6% for youths physically and cyberbullied
Only 1/10 victims ask their parents for help.
Leaving 9/10 to deal with the abuse alone.

Tips for parents

• Unconditional support.
• Inform the child of options in dealing with the bully.
• Work with school officials.
• Work with the parents of the bully.
• Contact IT providers to get content removed and bullies blocked.
• If necessary, contact the police.

Tips for Educators

• Teach that cyberbullying is wrong.
• Listen and respond to all reports of bullying.
• Have students work on projects against cyberbullying.
• Have a system for complaints to be documented.
• Host speakers on the topic of bullying.
• Ensure that school is a safe place; free from cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is real and often more emotionally brutal than traditional bullying.
Stay informed and protect your children because sometimes words hurt more than sticks and stones.

Sources:

Stephen

13 Nov 15:31

Chart: Which social sites drive the most traffic to books?

by Stephen Abram

Here’s some publisher data on what drives traffic to books . . . Hmmm . . . libraries could use this!

Want to promote that ebook? Do Facebook

http://www.teleread.com/promotion/want-to-promote-that-ebook-do-facebook/

facebook

Stephen

 

13 Nov 15:30

Nicco Mele, "The End of Big"

Dan Nieman

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Nicco Mele, author of "The End of Big," explains the concept of "radical connectivity" and how it is affecting society today. He says the ability to send vast amounts of data at high speeds is reshaping the exercise of power in politics and society.
13 Nov 15:28

Books, Libraries, and the Changing Digital Landscape…11.12.13

by lonewolflibrarian
Dan Nieman

Add as well


13 Nov 15:25

Are There 11 Nations in America Today?…11.12.13

by lonewolflibrarian
Dan Nieman

Very interesting post.

1

Click HERE or on image fro larger version of map

From NPR: Forget The 50 States, U.S. Is Really 11 Nations, Says Author

“…According to author and journalist Colin Woodard, the country is neither united, nor made up of 50 states. Woodward has studied American voting patterns, demographics and public opinion polls going back to the days of the first settlers, and says that his research shows America is really made up of 11 different nations….”


11 Nov 04:52

Margaret Alexander Edwards Trust Teen Grants

by Stephanie Gerding
Deadline: ongoing

The Margaret Alexander Edwards Trust awards small grants (under $5,000) for school and public libraries seeking to offer innovative programs that promote reading for pleasure for teenagers. Applications that feature new or creative programs will receive special consideration over those simply seeking funds for collection development or for a book discussion group. Application information is available on the website: http://www.carr.org/mae/trust.html.
29 Oct 16:36

Technology Legislation

Dan Nieman

aDD TO THE BLOG

Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT) talks about his Fair Telephone Billing Act, Rep. Chaffetz (R-UT) talks about the SHIELD Act which protects tech companies from patent protection lawsuits, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) talks about her cell phone unlocking legislation.
29 Oct 15:38

Pew: The Rise of Online Video

by Stephen Abram
Dan Nieman

May have already added this but check.

The Rise of Online Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGgBY3yBpYY#t=71

Stephen

29 Oct 14:38

Texas Portal to History Joins DPLA as Texas Hub…10.28.13

by lonewolflibrarian
Dan Nieman

Worthy of the AL blog

The Digital Public Library of America announced the addition of three new Service Hubs last Thursday at a reception celebrating the April 2013 launch of the DPLA and the start of DPLAfest, a two-day series of events free and open to the public in Boston on October 24-25, 2013. The three new Service Hubs – Empire State Digital Network (New York), The Portal to Texas History (Texas), and the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center (North Carolina) – will bring hundreds of thousands of new digital materials into the DPLA collections in the weeks and months following the DPLAfest festivities.


15 Oct 18:26

NEA Our Town Grants

by Stephanie Gerding
Deadline: January 13, 2014

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announces funds to support projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at their core. Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, independent school districts, special district governments, public, state, and private institutions of higher education, state governments, nonprofit organizations, and DC government agencies.

Grants will range from $25,000 to $200,000 for creative and innovative projects in which communities, together with their arts and design organizations and artists, seek to improve their quality of life, encourage greater creative activity, foster stronger community identity and a sense of place, and revitalize economic development. Projects may include arts engagement, cultural planning, and design activities such as:
  • Festivals and performances in spaces not normally used for such purposes
  • Public art that improves public spaces and strategically reflects or shapes the physical and social character of a community
  • Support for creative entrepreneurship
  • Design of cultural spaces – new or adaptive reuse
For more information, visit the NEA website